Private SHS ready to embrace Free SHS initiative – Minority to Mahama, Ato Forson
The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the exclusion of private Senior High Schools (SHS) from the Free SHS programme, urging President John Dramani Mahama and the Finance Minister-designate, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to fulfil their campaign promise to include private schools.
Dr Gideon Boako, the Member of Parliament for Tano North, addressed a press conference on the matter, criticising the Minister-designate’s dismissive attitude during his vetting on Monday, January 13.
Private SHS ready to embrace Free SHS initiative but what are the minority in parliament saying?
According to Dr Boako, Dr Ato Forson appeared evasive when questioned about extending the Free SHS programme to private institutions, a policy outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto.
“When asked whether the programme would be extended to private schools, the Minister-designate, in a very dismissive manner, asked whether those private schools write WASSCE exams,” Dr Boako recounted, adding that this response feigned ignorance of the fact that many private SHS participate in the WASSCE.
Dr Boako further reminded the Minister-designate and President Mahama of their campaign engagements with the leadership of private SHS. He emphasised that during the 2024 election campaign, President Mahama assured private school leaders that they would be included in the Free SHS programme.
“If President Mahama and the NDC knew that no private SHS writes WASSCE exams, why did they promise to include them in the Free SHS programme?” he questioned, highlighting the growing impatience among private schools awaiting inclusion.
The Minority called on Dr Ato Forson to clarify his stance and honour the campaign pledge. Dr Boako posed critical questions to the Finance Minister-designate and the NDC government: “What is the Finance Minister-designate waiting for? Was this not their campaign promise? What informed the promises? Didn’t they do the numbers first?”
He urged the government to act swiftly to ensure equitable access to education for all Ghanaian students, including those in private institutions.
Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah
📊 Stakeholder Guidance & Contextual Analysis
As developments continue to unfold regarding Private SHS ready to embrace Free SHS initiative – Minority to Mahama, Ato Forson, educational administrators, teachers, and candidates across Ghana are advised to follow established guidelines. Aligning school operations with official Ghana Education Service (GES) circulars and Ministry directives remains essential for institutional coherence and academic planning.
Key Directives for Schools and Educators:
- Administrative Alignment: School management and district directorates should cross-check official announcements before adjusting operational schedules.
- Stakeholder Transparency: Maintain active communication channels across Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), teaching staff, and student bodies.
- Continuous Oversight: Stay updated on supplementary directives issued by authorized public education authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How does this update impact academic calendars and school operations?
A: School administrators are advised to incorporate official directives into current term plans while awaiting further formal clarifications. Refer to official channels for exact timelines.
Q: Where can educators verify authentic announcements?
A: Notices can be verified through official Ministry of Education releases, GES headquarters circulars, or accredited national education portals like GhanaEducation.org.
