Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. George Oduro, has urged the government to rethink the policy of the Free Senior High School and its implementation.
Speaking at this year’s edition of the annual Harmattan School organised by the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research and Consultancy Service of the University for Development Studies in Tamale, the professor noted that the free SHS policy was one laudable policy which must be accepted by all and government praised for the boldness and political will backing the policy, however, he believes the implementation process has rather been one of a rush.
According to him, considering the path the policy is taking, its implementation, sustainability, quality and equity is not assured, neither is it guaranteed.
‘The policy seeks to provide universal education to all, very fantastic, but that does not in anyway mean quality should be belittled and denigrated in process. The quality of the education and training given to students is very important and must emphasized,’ Prof. Oduro said.
Speaking to Adom News, the educationist proposed that, as an alternative to the free SHS, the policy should target students and children from poor homes with boarding facility cost left for parents to bear.
This way, according to him, the government will be able to save money to provide facilities for other schools in rural communities, improving on their studies and ensuring equity.
He added that it’s woefully unfair for all Ghanaians to pay tax yet do not have the same opportunities for their children.
“How is it that taxpayers’ money is used to fund free SHS yet some children of these taxpayers are given better treatments than others,’ he quizzed.
“Why should all of us pay tax but some have their children in the boarding houses, given three-square meals daily whilst others are day students, given a single meal daily when Free SHS is paid for with the taxpayers’ money, that’s unfair,” he added.
On ensuring the quality of education, Prof. Oduro said it was necessary to reintroduce cut-off points in admissions.
According to him, not leaving any child of school-going age behind is no excuse for admitting all students, especially those with bad grades, into what he calls grammar school.
“Most of the senior high schools in Ghana are grammar schools and not everybody is born for such education which is why we must encourage the secondary, that is the vocational and technical education. In most cases, students who do not qualify for these grammar schools do very well in the areas of the vocational and technical education and we must encourage them, give them the right training and opportunity to develop their talent and skills,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Oduro believes the double track system which is expected to run for the next six years is a necessary evil due to the rush in the implementation of the free SHS policy.