The Minister for education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has allayed fears ongoing reforms in the second cycle education level will affect extra curricula activities by students.
He explained that on the contrary, the increase in contact hours and the Time-Table adjustments are meant to accommodate other non-academic activities such as sports, clubs and societies on senior high school campuses.
“We know the benefits of extra curricular activities and so in our plan, it has been catered for”, the Minister told a delegation from the Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA) who called on him at his office on Friday.
Government began the implementation of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Policy last year and in a bid to accommodate more numbers introduced the Double Track System under a Semester Programme amidst some concerns.
But the sector Minister said government is up to its responsibilities, explaining the Double Track approach is rather to address the problems of congestion and not to create one.
The Minister also played down what he called the “rich can pay” argument, saying making the SHS free rather eliminates rich-poor gap and discrimination on any basis.
He commended GUNSA’s educative and advocacy roles and pledged the support of his Ministry for its activities.
The National President of GUNSA, Mr Kwashie Klu-Duvor pledged continues working relationship with government on education issues through the Ministry of Education.
GUNSA operates in second cycle and tertiary institutions and communities through its Youth Wing and promotes the ideals of the United Nations and its specialised bodies.