Ghana’s Quest for Peace, Stability, and Sustainable Development: Reviewing the Free Senior High School Policy is a Must.

Ghana has once again proven itself as a beacon of democracy in Africa. The maturity demonstrated by the opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following the recent elections is humbling and inspiring.

This act of political decorum is a testament to the nation’s commitment to peace, stability, and collective progress. For Ghana to continue on its development trajectory, every citizen must critically evaluate the policies that shape our nation’s future.

One of the most prominent policies in recent years is the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, a bold initiative aimed at providing free secondary education to all Ghanaian students. While the policy’s objectives are commendable, its implementation has raised concerns that call for urgent review.

My advocacy for a change in government stems from the need to reexamine and recalibrate the FSHS policy to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness.

Currently, the policy allows all students, regardless of performance, to benefit from free education. While this ensures inclusivity, it inadvertently fosters complacency among students. Without a performance-based criterion, such as a pass mark in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), students lack the motivation to work hard, knowing they will proceed to secondary school regardless of their results. This has led to a wave of indiscipline, including riots, drug abuse, and other social vices in schools. By introducing a merit-based system, students will be incentivized to strive for excellence, fostering a culture of hard work and responsibility.

The economic burden of funding free education for all students has placed immense strain on the government’s finances, affecting other critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture. A more sustainable approach would involve parents contributing a portion of the school fees. This shared responsibility will allow the government to allocate resources to other developmental projects while still supporting needy but hardworking students through scholarships and bursaries. The government can still provide free education but not assuming all the fees at the expense of other sectors of the economy.

As a developing country heavily reliant on imports, Ghana must prioritize technical and vocational education. By focusing the FSHS policy on these areas, the government can equip students with practical skills to produce goods and services for export, boosting the economy and creating jobs. A targeted approach will ensure that free education benefits sectors that directly contribute to national development. Other technological innovations subjects should also be introduced to allow students be abreast of these skills and knowledge that would allow them to venture into these areas and contribute to our quest for national development.

The growing indiscipline among students, exacerbated by the misuse of smartphones, is a significant concern. Social media is rife with indecent videos and distractions that detract from students’ studies. To address this, the government must implement strict regulations on phone usage in schools. A complete ban on phones would promote focus, curb exam malpractices, and reduce the prevalence of immoral activities among students. Many students nowadays solely depend on their phone's to pass exams without learning. Using phones productivity isn't a bad idea, but can the authority monitor the process of using phones by students on campus? This would be a huge task if you ask me.

Overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture, and a lack of textbooks have plagued the FSHS programme. By limiting enrollment to students who meet the required academic criteria, the government can better manage resources and provide a conducive learning environment. Quality should take precedence over quantity to ensure meaningful educational outcomes. Students who have gone through the policy will admit that they did that without the required textbooks being made available for them not to talk of other teaching learning materials to aid effective academic success.

The Free SHS policy is a noble idea, but its hasty implementation has exposed critical gaps. Reviewing the policy is not about rejecting it but enhancing its essence to achieve its intended goals. A revised FSHS programme that incorporates merit-based access, shared financial responsibility, and a focus on technical education will ensure that the policy remains sustainable and impactful. It could also fail if we look at it as political policy rather what the constitution directs as to do. Let's therefore accept it as a national policy and make it work.

In conclusion, Ghana’s future depends on the education of its youth, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that this cornerstone of development is built on a solid foundation. By making informed decisions and holding our leaders accountable, we can drive the nation towards a brighter and more prosperous future. It therefore calls for comprehensive review of the policy as a way forward to doing the right thing and making our educational system to work better.