By: Kwadwo Ofosu Baffoe | ignewss—TECHIMAN, Ghana
The National President of Free SHS, Mr Benjamin Oteng Marfo, has raised concerns about challenges he says are placing additional financial pressure on Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
According to him, the practice of accelerating some pupils through the early stages of basic education has contributed to an increase in the number of students entering Senior High School earlier than anticipated.
Speaking in an interview with Kwadwo Ofosu-Baffoe, Mr Oteng Marfo said the development has implications for government expenditure, particularly in the provision of educational materials and other resources required to support students under the Free SHS programme.
He explained that as more students progress to the Senior High School level, the government is required to commit additional resources to meet their educational needs.
Mr. Oteng Marfo also expressed concern about what he described as frequent changes to the school curriculum.
He said changes to the syllabus within relatively short periods often require schools and government to procure new textbooks and other learning materials.
According to him, such changes can render previously acquired textbooks less relevant, resulting in additional expenditure for the government, parents and students.
Mr. Oteng Marfo, however, identified the feeding of students as one of the major financial challenges confronting the Free SHS programme.
He said the government bears the responsibility of providing meals for students throughout their stay in senior high school, making feeding a significant component of the programme’s expenditure.
He noted that other items, including school uniforms and textbooks, should not necessarily impose a substantial financial burden on the programme if they are properly managed.
Mr. Oteng Marfo’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the sustainability and financing of the Free SHS programme and the resources required to provide quality secondary education to students across the country.
Source: www.ignewss.com