The Education Ministry has charged a professor at the University of Ghana, Martin Obeng Ababio to read wide over his claims that the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy has compromised quality for quantity.
Prof Ababio explained that, while university enrolments have risen due to the policy, there have been little efforts from the government concerning infrastructure enhancement in tertiary institutions.
Speaking during a campaign outreach by lecturers aimed at raising awareness on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 manifesto, Prof. Ababio praised the NDC on its proposal to review the Free SHS policy.
But in an interview with Adom News, the Public Relations Officer(PRO) Kwasi Kwarteng said the assertion was false as available data suggests otherwise.
According to Mr Kwarteng, data from the Ministry of Education has revealed significant improvements in student performance since the introduction of Free SHS in 2017.
For instance, the percentage of students passing English Language has increased from 45.2% in 2015 to 72.11% in 2023.
Similarly, pass rates in Integrated Science and Social Studies have also seen substantial gains, rising from 28.7% to 66.82% and 57.4% to 76.76%, respectively.
He attributes these successes to innovative measures implemented by the government, such as the double-track system.
This system has enabled schools to increase enrollment while maintaining quality, by dividing students into two tracks and increasing contact hours.
Additionally, the introduction of serialization in examinations has reduced malpractices and improved the overall quality of education.
While acknowledging that increased enrollment can sometimes lead to reduced quality, Mr. Kwarteng argues that, Ghana’s experience has defied this trend.
He urged Professor Ababio to conduct more comprehensive research, considering the available data and the government’s efforts to enhance education.
He noted that, the Ministry is committed to repositioning Ghana’s education system for the 21st century. Initiatives like STEM education aim to provide students with relevant skills for the modern workforce.
“By focusing on facts and data-driven solutions, Ghana can continue to improve its education system and provide quality education for all,” he said.
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