The Free SHS Economy Of Ghana: A Blessing Or A Backdoor Burden?

Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy was introduced with the noble aim of removing financial barriers to secondary education. Designed to ensure that every Ghanaian child, regardless of economic background, could access quality education, it has been hailed as one of the most ambitious social policies in the country’s history. However, beneath the surface of this well-intended initiative, a new financial strain is emerging—one that threatens to undermine its very purpose.

Across many Grade A and B schools, particularly in Accra, parents are being confronted with an unexpected and pressing challenge: the cost of extra classes. With final-year students preparing for their exit examinations, supplementary lessons have become a necessity rather than an option. Yet, the fees attached to these classes have raised significant concerns. In some schools, charges per child for extra tuition goes as high as 800 cedis per subject per month, leaving many parents to foot bills that run into several thousands of cedis in the months leading up to exams. Work this out yourself: Should your child require extra help with, for instance 4 subjects and more... you're looking at 3,200 cedis per month until he's done writing in September.

This situation raises urgent questions about the Free SHS policy and its implementation:

Has the Government Stopped Paying Teachers that requires paymement from parents?

One of the most striking concerns is the justification for these fees. If teachers are fully compensated by the government under the Free SHS system, why are parents required to pay such high sums for extra classes? This trend suggests a gap in either teacher remuneration or school funding that has allowed a parallel, unregulated education economy to thrive.

Are Teachers Using This as a Silent Protest Against Free SHS?

There is growing speculation that some educators, particularly in high-performing schools, are indirectly resisting the Free SHS policy through these charges. While they may not openly oppose the programme, the widespread practice of costly extra tuition raises questions about whether it is a strategic way to compensate for what they perceive as financial shortfalls in their salaries or working conditions. If this is the case, parents are unfairly caught in the middle—paying taxes to fund Free SHS while also shouldering the informal cost of sustaining the system.

Who Bears Responsibility for This Unintended Financial Burden?

The government’s role in ensuring that Free SHS remains truly free cannot be overlooked. While tuition and boarding fees have been absorbed, it appears that essential academic support structures have been neglected, forcing parents into an expensive alternative. At the same time, teachers must acknowledge their ethical responsibility to ensure that education remains accessible, rather than creating a financial bottleneck that only benefits those who can afford extra tuition.

Can Parents Sustain This in a Harsh Economic Climate?

Ghana’s current economic landscape is anything but forgiving. With inflation at record highs and household incomes under strain, many families are struggling to meet basic needs. The additional cost of extra classes—often running into thousands of cedis—is unsustainable for the average Ghanaian. If this trend continues unchecked, Free SHS will inadvertently create a two-tier system: one where students from wealthier families receive the extra help needed to excel, while those from lower-income backgrounds are left behind.

What Must Be Done to Restore the Integrity of Free SHS?

The government and educational authorities must act swiftly to address these concerns:

• Regulate Extra Tuition Fees: The Ghana Education Service (GES) must introduce a standardised pricing structure to prevent exploitation.
• Improve Teacher Incentives: If inadequate salaries are a key factor, policymakers should explore ways to enhance teacher remuneration to remove the incentive for excessive extra class charges.
• Strengthen Academic Support Systems: Schools should implement structured remedial programmes within school hours to ensure that students receive necessary support without additional financial strain.
• Enforce Accountability Measures: Teachers and school administrators must be held to ethical standards that prevent the monetisation of academic assistance.

A National Investment, Not a Political Debate

The Free SHS policy is not just a government initiative; it is a long-term investment in Ghana’s future. If implemented effectively, it has the power to elevate literacy levels, create a more skilled workforce, and drive economic development. However, if these financial loopholes are not addressed, the policy risks becoming an illusion—one where access to quality education is still dictated by financial capacity.

The fundamental question remains: Are we truly committed to free education, or have we simply shifted the cost elsewhere, leaving parents to pay the price through the back door?