I Am Against Anyone Against The Free SHS Policy

I am strongly against any opposition to Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. It is evident that while many people can identify problems, they often fail to propose viable solutions, and when they do, those solutions usually introduce new issues.

1. One common suggestion is to allow those who can afford to pay for SHS while providing free education to those who cannot. This is fundamentally flawed. Determining who can afford to pay and who cannot, is a significant loophole for corruption. Who will make these determinations? The potential for manipulation is enormous, leading to inequity and misuse of funds.
2. Another proposal is to have boarding students pay while allowing day students to benefit from free SHS, or vice versa. This would create an imbalance and complicate planning and logistics to an unmanageable degree. Moreover, it would inevitably lead to corruption. We have witnessed similar issues with the Cocoa Farmers' Scholarship program. Despite its intention to help poor cocoa farmers, it has been hijacked by wealthier individuals, leaving the children of poor farmers without access.

The same pattern is evident with government scholarships, which are often monopolized by the affluent and well-connected. What we see is an attempt by powerful individuals to hijack the Free SHS policy and introduce conditions they can exploit.

The current policy's strength lies in its universality. By saying all Ghanaian children are eligible, we eliminate the avenues for corruption. The moment we introduce selectivity, we open the door to manipulation. Claims that wealthy individuals want to pay for SHS are disingenuous. Many rich people in Ghana are more interested in increasing their wealth than in contributing to public welfare. Introducing such selective criteria is not sustainable.

The Free SHS policy should remain as it is—available to all Ghanaian children. This universality is its greatest strength, ensuring equality and reducing opportunities for corruption. Any move to change this undermines the policy's integrity and effectiveness.

Any review or improvement of the Free SHS policy in Ghana should focus on logistics and infrastructure to ensure its success, as well as on establishing a sustainable funding structure. The universality of the policy must remain intact to avoid corruption and maintain fairness.

1. Logistics and Infrastructure Improvements:
2. Increase School Capacity: There needs to be a significant investment in building more classrooms and expanding existing facilities to accommodate the growing number of students. This will prevent overcrowding and improve the learning environment.
3. Teacher Recruitment and Training: Recruiting more qualified teachers and providing continuous professional development will enhance the quality of education. Incentives should be offered to attract teachers to underserved areas.
4. Resource Allocation: Ensure that all schools are adequately supplied with textbooks, laboratory equipment, and other essential learning materials. This will help in providing a balanced education across different regions.
5. Transportation: Improve transportation for students, especially those in rural areas, to ensure they can attend school regularly without undue hardship.

2. Sustainable Funding Structure:

• Diversified Funding Sources: Explore multiple funding avenues, including public-private partnerships, international aid, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. This will reduce the dependency on government funds alone and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Educational Endowment Funds: Establish endowment funds where individuals, alumni, and corporations can contribute towards the education system. The interest generated from these funds can be used to support the Free SHS policy.
• Efficient Budget Management: Implement strict financial controls and audits to ensure that allocated funds are used efficiently and effectively. Transparency in financial management will build public trust and support for the policy.
• Community Involvement: Encourage local communities to participate in school management and decision-making processes. Community support can provide additional resources and help maintain school infrastructure.

Maintaining the universality of the Free SHS policy is crucial. Any attempts to introduce selectivity will open doors to corruption and inequality. By improving logistics, infrastructure, and funding, we can ensure that the Free SHS policy continues to benefit all Ghanaian children, providing them with the education they deserve.

For instance, recent reports highlight the success of universal education policies in other countries, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive logistical and infrastructural support. In Uganda, where a similar universal secondary education policy was implemented, significant investments in infrastructure and teacher training were key to addressing initial challenges. This demonstrates that with proper planning and resource allocation, the Free SHS policy in Ghana can be both effective and sustainable.

By learning from these examples and prioritizing infrastructure and funding, Ghana can ensure the Free SHS policy remains a cornerstone of equitable education for all its children.

By Victor Raul Puobabangna Plance from Eggu “Eggubadao” in the Upper West Region of Ghana

References:

1. "Uganda's Universal Secondary Education Policy: Progress and Challenges." Africa Education Review, 2023.

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