Education Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh says the Akufo-Addo government has delivered on its manifesto promise to transform Ghana's education sector.
In a statement to Parliament Tuesday, he said the Free SHS programme, the double-track system among other initiatives have been successful to the extent that “our opponents are making a U-turn and promising a review of the programme if they win power in the 2020 elections, except they have failed to specifically say what aspect they will review, and to what end and purpose.”
The Minister said the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) failed to pay for its progressively free education programme before they left office.
This shortfall, according to the Minister has been paid by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“It is also instructive to note, that under the Progressively Free SHS policy touted by the NDC when it was in government, they left arrears of GHC 30,120,552.00 in respect of the 2015/16 academic year when the programme started with day students only. That has since been paid by the Akufo-Addo led government,” he said.
Dr Opoku Premeh further noted that capitation grant saw an increment from ¢4.5 per student per year to ¢10.0 per student per year in the 2017/2018 academic year.
The 122% increase in per capita Capitation Grant has contributed to removing the cost barriers to free access and provide schools with minimum amount of funds required to keep schools running.
In 2013, less than 2% of Primary 2 students could read, a situation he believes has improved under government’s watch.
He criticised the former government for discontinuing teacher allowances which the NPP government has restored.
But Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu says the minister should have used the statement to tell the house what is being done ensure schools resume normally post Covid-19 lockdown.
“That for me would have been a major public policy priority issue. To keep the Ghanaian abreast of how he is addressing, particularly the disparities and inadequacies,” he said.
The so called ‘Saito’ schools… don’t have the opportunity to learn whiles at home while under Covid. Minister, that must engage your priority attention in order that you’ll be resolving a necessary disparity in the provision of education and quality education to Ghanaian children in private schools against Ghanaian students in public schools.
Mr Iddrisu challenged the minister's claim that the education sector is in a better shape today than what the NDC left. He explained that assertions that the NPP administration had paid what has been described as ‘legacy arrears’ owed some stakeholders in the sector are unfounded.
“We will commend you. But go and deal with it holistically. When you met with the teacher unions, their figure was GHS10,000. Your GES figure was 2,500.
You resolved only GHS2,500 and you come tell parliament that you have dealt with all legacy arrears. There is still outstanding,” he added.
The Minority leader also said payments for book and research allowances are yet to be expedited by government.
Latest Stories
-
Appiatse residents handed keys to newly constructed homes
3 mins -
Dreams FC trainer Karim Zito sets sights on defending MTN FA Cup
7 mins -
Dumsor: Mahama the only President to superintended ‘dum dum’ for 4 years – Opoku Prempeh
17 mins -
Burnley sign partnership deal with fan-backed scouting platform Nordensa
40 mins -
Akesse Brempong, MOG Music, Afronita, Dope Nation to perform at Nsoromma Season 6 Grand Finale
44 mins -
Hopeson Adorye to form ‘Jail Them’ advocacy group
2 hours -
Shatta Wale once cried and knelt to apologise to Mahama – Dr Lawrence Tetteh
2 hours -
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting photo ID
2 hours -
Nigeria soldiers face trial for deadly air strike ‘mistake’
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo, Otumfuo to commission Kumasi International Airport on May 10
2 hours -
PWDs who gain admission into tertiary institutions will be prioritised with government scholarships – Bawumia
2 hours -
Strongman regrets involving Fella Makafui in Medikal feud
2 hours -
NPP must unite now or perish later – Ameyaw-Akumfi warns
2 hours -
Fuel price adjustment: petrol surges to GH₵15.22, diesel falls to GH₵14.65
3 hours -
Kojo Golden nominated for Afrobeat Artiste of the Year at Ghana Music Awards USA
3 hours