Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to review the Free Senior High Policy (FSHS) despite the attempt by political opponents to discredit the “party’s good intentions.”
Mr. Asiedu Nketia said nothing would stop the next NDC government from addressing the numerous challenges confronting the implementation of the policy to improve learning outcomes.
He was responding to an alleged viral doctored video in which he was seen announcing the NDC’s intention to cancel the policy when they assume power at Agogo in the Asante-Akim North Constituency.
He said such deliberate and calculated attempts by elements of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to score cheap political points would not change the party’s commitment to review the policy and make it better.
The poor implementation of the policy is affecting quality education and must not be allowed to continue, he stated.
He said headmasters are no longer allowed to procure foodstuffs for the preparation of meals for students because “they must create avenues for their party people to make money.”
“They have taken away the responsibility of the headmasters to procure foodstuffs for students under their care, and have awarded the contract for supplying the schools to their cronies,” Mr. Nketia alleged.
He said students spent more time in the house than in school due to the lack of infrastructure to accommodate them at a go, significantly reducing contact hours, which was inimical to effective academic work.
“This is why we advised them not to rush the implementation until adequate infrastructure has been built but they refused to reason with us, thereby leading us into this mess,” the National Chairman pointed out.
The NDC, according to him, would take urgent steps to expand facilities in schools and also complete the abandoned E-blocks to create adequate room to accommodate students simultaneously.
He said because the NPP was in a haste to score political points with the implementation of the policy, they rejected advice from all quarters including key members of their own party.
“If you kick against a review of the policy with all these challenges, then it means you have no genuine intention for the programme,” he insisted.
Mr. Nketia entreated the public to ignore the fake video, saying that it was part of the NPP’s usual desperation to hold on to power but would not work this time.