A United States-based Ghanaian economist, Dr Sa-ad Iddrisu, has raised serious concerns regarding the politicisation of Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, stating that it has resulted in the deliberate passing of students who may not have met the required academic standards.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr Iddrisu clarified that his claims are not based on speculation but on direct reports from schools themselves. He revealed that some institutions have reported instances where students are allowed to cheat or bypass normal academic procedures to ensure they pass, all in a bid to present the Free SHS policy as a success.

"This is not the Free SHS we want for our children," Dr Iddrisu stated. He went on to criticize the government's approach, explaining that the focus has shifted from delivering quality education to presenting a politically favourable image. "The government is more concerned with making the policy appear successful rather than addressing the underlying issues within the education system," he added.

Dr Iddrisu also highlighted the inconsistency between the government’s public stance on Free SHS and the actions of high-ranking officials. “If you look closely, those with children in positions of power, do their children attend Free SHS? No. They send them to private schools and pay for their education,” he explained.

According to Dr Iddrisu, this stark contrast shows that even those responsible for the policy do not trust the system they have implemented for the public.

In contrast, Dr Iddrisu praised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its approach to the Free SHS programme in 2015-2016. He explained that the NDC’s progressive policy focused on ensuring that the proper infrastructure and support systems were in place before expanding access to education. "Under the NDC, the priority was to lay the necessary foundations to make Free SHS sustainable and effective, rather than rushing its implementation," he said.

Dr Iddrisu also shared a personal example to highlight the negative effects of the current system. "I have a nephew who is in SHS Form 2, but he spends three to four months at home during the school term," he said.

“How can students be expected to retain what they’ve learned when they spend so much time away from school?” he quizzed. Dr Iddrisu argued that these extended breaks significantly undermine the effectiveness of the Free SHS programme and hinder students’ ability to succeed.

Dr Iddrisu urged the government to reconsider its approach to the Free SHS policy, calling for a shift in focus towards quality education rather than political gain.