Cabinet Okays 3-Years SHS

Richard Akuoko Adiyia

PRESIDENT JOHN Atta Mills' Cabinet has agreed to reverse the duration of Senior High School (SHS) education from four to three years after only two years of the policy change in the educational system by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

Minister for Education, Alex Tettey-Enyo, announced the reversal on the floor of Parliament in answering a question from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo-Ano North, Richard Akuako Adiyia, who wanted to know whether there has been any decision on the duration of SHS.

Mr. Tettey-Enyo, who is also the MP for Ada, indicated that school enrolment for the 3-year programme would commence in 2010, adding that a new amendment to the Act that instituted the four-year duration would soon be brought to Parliament for approval before the programme takes off.

SHS education was extended from three to four years two years ago under the NPP regime, with the view to giving more time to students to be adequately equipped for tertiary education.

However, the ruling NDC promised to reverse the programme. Upon assumption of office, the new administration charged the Ministry of Education to organize a stakeholder's forum on the issue.

According to the Minister for Education, the outcome of the forum was communicated in a memorandum to Cabinet for policy approval for the reversal of the SHS duration to three years.

Also answering a question from Stephen Kunsu, MP for Kintampo North, Mr. Tettey-Enyo said it is the policy of his Ministry to ensure that all Senior High Schools have buses to enhance their smooth operation.

He disclosed that the Ministry has already procured and distributed 199 buses and 139 pick-ups to some senior high schools, and the process of procuring for the next phase has begun.

Mr. Tettey-Enyo gave the assurance that Kintampo Senior High School will be considered along with others in the next phase of the programme.

As part of the implementation of the policy, he said an exercise has been conducted to ascertain the number of schools without buses.

He however pointed out that due to budgetary constraints; the Ministry has phased the procurement of buses and hopes to complete the exercise as soon as possible.

By Awudu Mahama