By Ashiadey Dotse
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has stated that he is not calling for an end to free education, dismissing suggestions to the contrary as political tactics from his opponents.
Speaking to clergy members in Kumasi on November 11, 2024, Mahama emphasized that the Free Senior High School (SHS) program is here to stay.
Mahama explained that, if elected, his focus would be on improving the quality of education rather than canceling the free SHS policy. He noted that his previous administration had already laid the groundwork for free SHS in 2015, initially supporting 140,000 boarding students from underprivileged districts before leaving office.
Mahama outlined plans to hold a national education workshop, bringing together parents, educators, and other stakeholders to discuss reforms aimed at addressing challenges in the education sector. He acknowledged current shortcomings and stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to raise educational standards across multiple areas.
One of Mahama’s major concerns is the lack of a sustainable funding source for free SHS. He pledged to establish a dedicated funding stream to ensure the program’s long-term viability. This would allow schools to manage their purchases, such as food items, directly rather than relying on the National Buffer Stock Company, which he believes could improve the quality of supplies for students.
Additionally, Mahama proposed including private schools in the free SHS policy to help ease overcrowding in public schools, which would reduce pressure on limited resources.
He assured that these reforms would be geared towards lifting the quality of education across the country, affirming his commitment to strengthening Ghana’s educational system if elected.