Free SHS: 5.7 million students get access to education – Akufo-Addo

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President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced that 5.7 million young Ghanaians have benefitted from the Free Senior High School (SHS) and Free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs since their inception.

In his 2024 State of the Nation Address, he described the initiatives as transformative for education in Ghana.

The president stated that many of these students would not have had access to secondary education without these programs.

To further enhance technical and vocational education, 34 new TVET institutions have been established, and 62 existing ones have been upgraded to equip students with 21st-century skills.

Akufo-Addo reflected on the bold decision to implement Free SHS during his first term, despite calls for a gradual rollout.

From 2020, the first batch of Free SHS beneficiaries began sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

He highlighted a marked improvement in results, with 65% of candidates achieving grades between A1 and C6 in all four core subjects, a significant increase compared to previous years.

He credited the program with producing the best examination results in Ghana’s history, even amidst challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the president, these achievements is a testament to the successful implementation of Free SHS and TVET, which continue to provide educational opportunities and improve academic outcomes nationwide.