The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare has expressed doubt about the government's effectiveness in addressing the challenges associated with the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
According to him, every successful policy encounters challenges, and a policy without challenges has never succeeded.
Speaking during JoyNews’ National Dialogue on the Free SHS Promise on Thursday, March 21, Mr Asare stated that the attempt to confront the challenges arising from the implementation of the policy has been "overly political."
He explained that when such a situation occurs, it becomes challenging for the political class responsible for managing the policy to acknowledge these challenges.
Mr Asare remarked, "It was because of how the policy was conceived, not too different from how the Ugandan Free SHS policy was conceived. Both were conceived on political platforms.
"There is nowhere in Africa, apart from South Africa, that Free Senior High School was not a political promise before it became a policy. So I keep saying that the overly political nature of the policy makes it difficult to admit to genuine challenges."
He emphasised that the context in which the challenges are raised is sometimes "politicised," and this context is key and responsible for the defensive posture of the government.
Mr Asare noted that the only challenge surrounding the Free SHS policy is funding, emphasising that it is the only challenge everybody envisaged the policy will face.
"Ghana is the only country in the world where secondary education is heavily boarding over 70% and free. So, it was always going to be a challenge financing the cost of boarding education," he said.
Latest Stories
-
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Sundowns, Esperance join Al Ahly and Wydad as CAF representatives
2 hours -
CAFCL: Al Ahly set up historic final with ES Tunis
2 hours -
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
6 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
7 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
7 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
7 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
8 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
8 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
8 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
8 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
9 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
9 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
10 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
10 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
10 hours