A retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Jones Dotse, has suggested the remodelling of the free SHS to ease pressure on the public purse to ensure sustainability.

Though he described the policy as one of the best social interventions, he decried that it may suffer a setback when the numbers of beneficiaries increase, considering the country’s economic status.

Justice Jones was speaking at the 72nd anniversary celebration of the Kpando Senior High School in the Volta Region.

"The introduction of the free SHS is undoubtedly one of the best social intervention programs we have had in the Fourth Republic.

"But looking at our numbers, with the population growth and our economic growth, I don't think it is sustainable in the long run. So, the stakeholders should start thinking about remodelling it", Justice Dotsie explained.

He opined that stakeholders should identify a well-furnished school in an enclave to operate a fee-paying boarding system, enrol students who can afford it, and convert the rest of the schools in the enclave to day schools under the free SHS.

He added that the government should provide an afternoon meal for the day student beneficiaries, to cut down expenditure on the implementation of the policy.

“You eat in the morning, you go to school, you will have a hot meal in the afternoon, you continue up to 2 or 3, you break. Then the dormitories can be converted into classrooms because there is no boarding. Then students from that locality will go there", he added.

The Volta Regional Director of Education, Francis Agbemadi, entreated teachers to devise teaching methods that would promote independence and self-reliance, to enable students to become responsible citizens in the future.

He also called for collaborative efforts between parents and teachers in the training of the future generations to ensure well-formed children.

“Let us strengthen the partnership between home and school, as it is the foundation of lasting excellence. Parents, provide guidance; teachers, mentor with dedication; and students, learn with humility and diligence”, he said.

The Global President of Kpando Secondary School Old Student Association, Kwaku Bansah, said the anniversary and prize-giving ceremony were scheduled to motivate the students to commit to achieving academic excellence.

He stressed that the old students would continue to support the school in providing the needed logistics, among others, to propel academic activities.

The Headmaster of Kpando Senior High School, Charles Evans Apraku, eulogised the academic performance of the school, including achieving laurels in the West African Certificate Examination, recording an average of 95% in the last three years.

He, however, lamented the infrastructure deficit of the school and extended an appeal to the public and the government to help the school.