Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies (IFES), Dr. Peter Partey Anti, has urged the new government to prioritize sustainable funding for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy to ensure its long-term success.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues with Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, Dr. Anti highlighted the financial challenges that have plagued the policy since its inception, stressing that funding remains the most significant issue.
“The old government couldn’t fund it well, so the new government should find ways and means to fund the policy to ensure money is always available,” Dr. Anti noted.
He emphasized the critical need for innovative funding strategies, adding that without consistent financial support, the policy’s objectives could be compromised.
“So far, there has been a suggestion already; I brought one out myself, but the problem of Free SHS now is getting it financed. About 99 percent of the problem is funding,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anti’s remarks come at a time when stakeholders in the education sector are calling for reforms to strengthen the Free SHS program.
Concerns about infrastructure, resources, and teacher availability have been compounded by irregular disbursements of funds.
The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, has significantly increased access to secondary education in Ghana. However, questions about its sustainability continue to dominate discussions in the education space.
Dr. Anti urged the government to explore diverse funding avenues to secure the policy’s future and ensure that no student is left behind due to financial constraints.