In a bid to rally support for the continued success of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, a group of university lecturers from across the country, under the banner of University Teachers for Free SHS Ghana, visited the Ghana Methodist Student Union (GMSU) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
The visit saw the participation of esteemed academic personalities, including Dr. Eric Boachie Yiadom, Senior Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA); Dr. Amos Apraku, Senior Lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR); Dr. Frank Bannor, Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA); Prof. Eugene Darteh, Professor at UCC; Dr. Leticia Bosu, Lecturer at UCC; Dr. Robert Owusu Boakye, Lecturer at UPSA; Dr. Akwetey Henry Matey, Lecturer at UPSA; Hon. Lawrence K. Aziale, Lecturer at UPSA; Emmanuel Owusu, Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW); Dr. Justice Kwaku Addo, Senior Lecturer at UCC; and Prof. Isaac Boadi, Dean of the Faculty of Finance & Accounting at UPSA.
Purpose
The purpose of the visit was to engage with students and stakeholders at the Ghana Methodist Student Union, to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future of the Free SHS policy. The group emphasized the critical role the policy has played in improving access to secondary education for many Ghanaian students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking during the church service, Dr. Eric Boachie Yiadom stressed the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Free SHS initiative. He noted that, despite the challenges the policy has faced, it has significantly reduced the financial burden on families, thereby expanding educational opportunities for countless students across the country. He called on students and other stakeholders to rally behind the initiative and advocate for its continued success.
Prof. Eugene Darteh, in his address, highlighted the pivotal role that academic institutions, including universities, must play in supporting government policies like Free SHS. He emphasized that the policy has not only benefited students but also served as a vehicle for promoting national development by creating a more educated workforce.
Dr. Leticia Bosu also spoke on the positive impact that the Free SHS policy has had on gender equity, pointing out that more girls have been able to pursue secondary education under the scheme. She encouraged students to remain committed to their studies and to use the opportunities provided by the policy to enhance their personal and academic growth.
The lecturers also expressed concern about the future of the policy, citing the need for increased investment in education to maintain the quality of teaching and learning at the secondary school level. They called on government stakeholders, including policymakers and educational administrators, to collaborate in ensuring that the Free SHS policy remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s educational system.
The visit concluded with an interactive session, where students from the Ghana Methodist Student Union had the opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and share their perspectives on the Free SHS policy. Many students expressed their support for the policy, emphasizing how it had transformed their educational journey.
University Teachers for Free SHS Ghana reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for the sustainability of the policy and pledged to continue engaging with various student groups and communities across the country.
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