The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) has recommended a review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. They propose that parents contribute a portion of the costs to ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness. This suggestion follows a plea from the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to the Ministry of Education, urging the release of overdue funds that are essential for the smooth operation of SHSs as they prepare to reopen for the 2025 academic year.
In a communiqué signed by CHASS National Secretary Primus Baro, the group referenced previous correspondences on September 20, 2024, and August 12, 2024, as well as assurances from the Minister of Education during a Zoom meeting on December 18, 2024, none of which have been implemented.
CHASS highlighted that unpaid arrears for perishable items, utility bills, and other essentials continue to hinder the functioning of schools. They stressed that reopening schools as scheduled on January 3, 2025, would be challenging, impacting quality education, infrastructure maintenance, and student welfare without these funds.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, Patrick Danquah, Deputy Director of IFEST, reiterated the importance of reassessing the Free SHS policy to address these challenges effectively.
“Free SHS needs to be reviewed so that they can relook at the element of taking part of the cost and allowing the parents who were handling the costs better to continue to handle it the way they did,” Danquah stated
By: Abigail Arthur
[…] By: Abigail Arthur […]