By Jeremiah Nutsugah
Independent presidential candidate Dr. Sam Ankrah has stressed the need for a review of the Free SHS policy, pledging that his government will do so if elected.
In an interview on GTV’s breakfast show on July 22, 2024, Dr. Ankrah expressed concerns about the impact of the policy on the quality of education.
“Visit our schools, including top-tier institutions like Opoku Ware School, Prempeh College, and Mfantsipim School, and you’ll see that facilities have not increased despite a significant surge in population – in some cases, up to five or six times the original number.”
Dr. Ankrah also highlighted the alarming increase in the teacher-student ratio, resulting in overcrowded classes where students don’t even know each other. “There’s no cooperation, no coordination, and no rebuilding,” he emphasized.
To address these issues, Dr. Ankrah proposed granting autonomy to top-performing schools. “The school boards, comprising representatives from the schools, missionaries, parents, and other stakeholders, will have the authority to manage these institutions. This will enable them to operate effectively and set a roadmap for other schools to follow.”
Furthermore, Dr. Ankrah suggested that the Ghana Education Service (GES) should not exert centralized control over schools. Instead, school boards should be empowered to make decisions, with government support focused on ensuring accessible quality education.
“No one attends boarding school for free,” he noted. “So, we should establish day schools within 10 kilometers of every home, allowing students to access education within their own communities.”
