Accounting and auditing firm, PwC, has urged government to consider engaging in additional dialogue regarding the structure of the Free Senior High School programme.

It is therefore citing an example around potential means of testing to identify beneficiaries and the level of support required, and/or the exclusion of student boarding fees from the programme, with a view to freeing up additional resources which may be deployed towards upgrading facilities to enhance the learning environment for greater impact.

In its commentary on the 2022 Mid-Year Budget Review, it said the Free SHS programme, which continues to generate debate with respect to its cost to the economy, has led to growth in enrolment and access to SHS education across the country.

“The programme does however face challenges with insufficient and inadequate infrastructure and related facilities, as well as more recent challenges with food supply to schools”, it pointed out.

“The mid-year review affirms government’s commitment to continue to fund this programme in full, notwithstanding calls by a section of the public for a review of the programme to optimise its cost to taxpayers. While noting the commitment to continue to fund the programme as an investment in the development of Ghana’s human capital, we urge Government to consider engaging in additional dialogue regarding the structure of the programme”, it added.

The Free SHS programme has come under strong scrutiny as a result of the huge expenditure, costing the nation.