Lavish post-WASSCE celebrations show some parents can pay fees — Hamza Suhuyini
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communications Team, Hamza Suhuyini, has called for a renewed discussion on allowing parents who can afford it to contribute towards the education of their children under the Free Senior High School policy.
According to him, the recent display of wealth by some parents during post-WASSCE celebrations demonstrates that certain families have the financial capacity to pay school fees if given the opportunity.
His comments come amid growing public concern over the increasing trend of students receiving expensive gifts, including vehicles, money bouquets and other costly items on school campuses after completing the 2026 WASSCE.
Speaking on Accra-based TV3's New Day programme on Monday, June 22, Suhuyini stated that the development should reopen discussions surrounding the implementation of the Free SHS policy, particularly proposals that parents who can afford to pay should be allowed to do so.
"Look at what we have recorded in our schools today, that tells you that indeed some parents are in a position to pay for the education of their wards. The nation would lose nothing if our policies are handled in such a way that we can take the needed benefits from some people to support our educational infrastructure," he said.
He recalled that several individuals, including members of both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), had previously advocated a differentiated approach to the policy to help improve its sustainability.
He further questioned the rationale behind the lavish celebrations, especially when examination results are yet to be released.
"I started asking myself these basic questions: What are parents even celebrating? What are they rewarding when the outcome is yet to be known in terms of your kids' performance? Is it simply because of the fact that they have completed school?" he asked.
He also welcomed the decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to ban lavish post-WASSCE celebrations on school campuses, saying such displays could negatively affect students from less privileged backgrounds.