Free SHS Needs an Admission Cut-Off Point to Protect Standard

Does The Free SHS Need an Admission Cut-Off Point to Protect the Standard Effective 2025 BECE?

Since the introduction of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy in Ghana, thousands of students who would have been left behind have gained access to secondary education. Indeed, the policy has been praised for its inclusiveness and its role in giving hope to many families. However, beneath the surface of this noble initiative lies a growing crisis that cannot be ignored thus the sharp decline in academic standards in many of our senior high schools.

One of the most alarming issues confronting teachers today is the enrollment of students who lack the most basic academic skills. It is disheartening to find students at the senior high school level who cannot even write their own names, let alone read simple sentences or construct coherent ideas in writing. This is not just an isolated problem, it is becoming widespread in many schools across the country.

The root of this challenge is clear: the wholesale enrollment of students into the Free SHS programme without a proper academic benchmark. Many students who failed their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) with very poor grades are pushed into senior high schools, not because they are ready, but because the system admits everyone regardless of ability.

What is even more worrying is the silence surrounding genuine assessments of these students’ performance. While official reports tend to highlight increased pass rates at the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), many teachers and education stakeholders know that these statistics often do not reflect the true picture on the ground. Teachers work under immense pressure to produce results, and there are frequent allegations of inflated grades and compromised assessment processes.

Sadly, when students fail at the senior high school level, blame is often shifted to their teachers. But as the old saying goes, “It is difficult to straighten a dry stick.” Students who struggled at the basic level cannot suddenly perform miracles at the senior high school level. While some may improve with hard work and dedication, the vast majority continue to battle serious academic deficiencies throughout their time in school.

The time has come for the government and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take a hard look at this situation. There must be a clearly defined cut-off point for admission into senior high schools under the Free SHS programme. Education is a right, but it must also be matched with responsibility and readiness. For students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements, vocational and technical training should be provided. Such pathways will enable them to develop practical skills and become productive citizens, rather than wasting time in a system that does not suit their abilities.

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Free SHS is a great policy, but it cannot continue in its current form without risking the collapse of academic standards. Let us not confuse access with success. By refining the admission process and offering alternative pathways for those who need them, we can save the integrity of our education system and build a future where every young person is empowered to contribute meaningfully to national development.

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Source:Francis Angbabora Baaladong