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
-
Paris 2024: Opening ceremony showcases grandiose celebration of French culture and diversity
3 hours -
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths
4 hours -
Paris 2024: Ghana rocks ‘fabulous fugu’ at olympics opening ceremony
4 hours -
Trust Hospital faces financial strain with rising debt levels – Auditor-General’s report
5 hours -
Electrochem lease: Allocate portions of land to Songor people – Resident demand
5 hours -
82 widows receive financial aid from Chayil Foundation
5 hours -
The silent struggles: Female journalists grapple with Ghana’s high cost of living
5 hours -
BoG yet to make any payment to Service Ghana Auto Group
5 hours -
‘Crushed Young’: The Multimedia Group, JL Properties surprise accident victim’s family with fully-furnished apartment
6 hours -
Asante Kotoko needs structure that would outlive any administration – Opoku Nti
6 hours -
JoyNews exposé on Customs officials demanding bribes airs on July 29
7 hours -
JoyNews Impact Maker Awardee ships first consignment of honey from Kwahu Afram Plains
8 hours -
Joint committee under fire over report on salt mining lease granted Electrochem
8 hours -
Life Lounge with Edem Knight-Tay: Don’t be beaten the third time
8 hours -
Pro-NPP group launched to help ‘Break the 8’
8 hours