By Ashiadey Dotse
Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), an education think tank, has urged Parliament to delay the introduction of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Bill until key stakeholders are consulted. The group expressed concerns over the government’s plan to present the Bill to Parliament on December 16, stating that the process lacks adequate engagement.
In a statement released on December 13, EduWatch highlighted the need for transparency and inclusivity in shaping policies that impact Ghana’s education system. The organization called on the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to organize consultations with education experts, civil society organizations, and parent-teacher associations.
“We call on Parliament to defer deliberations on the Bill until consultations are held. In the spirit of inclusive policy governance, we urge the Minister of Education to convene stakeholder consultative meetings and engage education Civil Society Organisations, Development Partners, parents, and teachers, on the Bill,” the statement read.
EduWatch stressed that broader consultations would help address potential gaps in the policy and gain national support for the initiative. The Free SHS Bill, drafted by the Ministry of Education, aims to provide legal backing for free and compulsory senior high school education in Ghana.
