The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, has raised an important concern regarding the sustainability of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. In a recent radio interview on Accra-based Okay FM, he called for a review of the policy, suggesting that parents should take on the responsibility of covering the costs of feeding and accommodation for their children in senior high schools.
While Carbonu acknowledged the positive impacts of the Free SHS initiative, he pointed out that the current economic climate makes it increasingly difficult for the government to sustain the program in its current form. "The Free SHS program, though beneficial, is no longer financially feasible as it stands," he explained. He further added that even after exams are written, the government faces challenges in funding essential activities such as script marking.
Feeding Shortages and Delayed Government Support
One of the key issues highlighted by Carbonu was the ongoing food shortages in senior high schools, where headmasters are forced to ask parents for additional food supplies for their children. He blamed the delays in food allocations from the National Food Buffer Stock Company for exacerbating this problem. "Students are now relying heavily on pocket money and provisions from their families. If you want your child to eat well and sleep comfortably, you should be prepared to contribute," he said.
Carbonu emphasized that this suggestion is not about reintroducing school fees, but rather about addressing the specific costs related to feeding and accommodation for students in boarding schools.
Supporting the Needy: A Call for Targeted Assistance
To ensure that support reaches those who truly need it, Carbonu proposed that the government implement targeted bursaries for financially struggling families, rather than offering blanket subsidies. "By focusing on those who genuinely need help, we can avoid overstretching the system and make the program more sustainable," he explained.
Transparency and National Dialogue on Free SHS
In addition to these suggestions, Carbonu called for greater transparency from the government regarding Ghana’s financial situation. He emphasized the importance of engaging in open discussions with stakeholders to find a solution to the challenges facing the Free SHS program. "If Ghana’s finances improve, we can extend Free SHS to everyone. But for now, we must face the truth and stop deceiving ourselves," he concluded.
These concerns echoed similar remarks from the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), which has also called for parental involvement in addressing the feeding challenges currently faced by schools.
As the debate continues, it remains clear that any potential changes to the Free SHS policy must balance financial realities with the goal of ensuring quality education for all students in Ghana.
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