Free SHS will become government’s biggest problem – NAGRAT backs Asantehene
The National Association of Graduate Teachers have waded into the funding situation of the Free Senior High School program and its President, Mr Angel Carbonu is predicting that it will get to a point funding the policy will be a challenge to the government.
He indicated that the situation is approaching the cul-de-sac
Mr Carbon was commenting on the observations by the Asatehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stressing that although the free SHS gives opportunity to all Ghanaian children to access Senior High School education irrespective of their backgrounds, the initiative also poses some challenges that must be addressed.
The Asantehene noted that the policy is putting strains on the national budget and also raises further challenges of job creation for the teeming graduates that are being churned out.
Delivering a speech at the Memphis University in the United States of America on Friday, May 6, he said, “Now, the current government has introduced the free education up to senior high school which now ensures that all Ghanaian children, from whatever background, are guaranteed free education.
“Considering the value of education to the nation, this must be one of the boldest policies of the nation but it also brings its challenges. It puts a huge strain on the national budget and raises further challenges regarding the creation of jobs for the increasing number of graduates. I am sure the brains assembled here in this audience and beyond will be reassured that Ghana is on the right path.”
Speaking on this matter on Tuesday, May 10, Mr Angel Carbonou said “This is something that NAGRAT foresaw even before the implementation of the free SHS and we raised caution. Unfortunately, nobody listened to us.
“Helping people to be able to access education, especially those who do not have is good but when you do it without taking into consideration the general facial situation in the country, your ability to raise resources and the presence of other economic and social challenges in the country you will come to a cul-de-sac, unfortunately, that is where we are getting to.
“The free SHS is not only about fees, the free SHS is an addition to feeding, the administration of the school, in areas of providing teaching and learning materials, in areas of creating the conducive environment for teaching and learning to take place, it is high cost.
“So when we talk about implementing free senior high school and we limit the concept to the feeding of students, the other aspects of our educational sector will be dwindling dry.”
