Indiscipline in SHSs justifies NDC’s plans to review free SHS — Deputy Education Minister

The Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has cited growing acts of indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs) as a strong justification for the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) plan to review the Free SHS policy.

In recent months, several incidents of violence and misconduct involving SHS students—particularly cases of firearm possession—have made headlines.

At Adventist Senior High School in Bantama, Ashanti Region, a second-year student, Suzy Adwoa Pinamang, suffered severe facial injuries after allegedly being shot by a fellow student.

Earlier in February 2025, a locally manufactured pistol was confiscated from one of 20 students arrested during a violent clash at Salaga Senior High School.

In another incident, a 16-year-old second-year student of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) was arrested for possessing a firearm during a routine dormitory inspection on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, around 9:30 a.m.

Reacting to the growing trend in a social media post on Friday, May 23, Dr. Apaak said these developments affirm the NDC’s campaign pledge to review the Free SHS programme to enhance its impact and sustainability.

“What is happening in our secondary schools clearly justifies our campaign promise to review the implementation of the Free Senior High School [FSHS] Programme as a basis to improve and sustain it,” he wrote.

The Builsa South MP added that the government, through Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, has already begun efforts to address the crisis.

“The Hon. Minister of Education has, through the Ghana Education Service [GES], permitted school management to conduct student searches—something not allowed under the previous government. In addition, PTAs have been restored to their pre-2017 roles. These are just two of many other policies in the pipeline,” he stated.

Dr. Apaak added that the Minister of Education has directed the Director-General of GES to work closely with the GES Council to roll out immediate interventions, even as broader reforms recommended by Ghanaians through the National Education Forum are being implemented.