Gov’t spends over GHC18,000 per student annually on Free SHS – Prof. Boadi

The central government invests GHC18,000 per student annually under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program, Prof. Isaac Boadi, Dean of the Faculty of Finance and Accounting at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has disclosed.

Speaking on the Atupan Show on Monday, November 18, 2024, he said that the funds cover essential expenses such as free uniforms, admission fees, maintenance costs, physical education kits, and supplementary stationery for the students.

“When you multiply that investment by the number of students benefiting from the policy, the figures become mind-boggling. This isn’t just a minor expense; it represents a monumental allocation of resources to ensure that education is accessible to every Ghanaian child,” Prof Boadi stated.

The Professor following the benefits and advantages of the free secondary education policy has called on all Ghanaians to recognize the value of the Free SHS programme and to support measures to ensure its continuation.

“We must appreciate and safeguard these efforts,” he urged, pointing to the broader impact of Free SHS on families across the country. “Education is a cornerstone of national development, and we must protect this investment in our youth,” he said.

The UPSA professor stressed that the long-term benefits of Free Senior High School outweigh the financial strain on the state budget, noting that the Free SHS policy is a vital step toward building an educated and skilled workforce.

“The government’s commitment to bearing this financial burden is a testament to its dedication to the future of Ghana’s youth. It is now up to all of us to ensure that this investment yields the best possible outcomes for our country

If anyone says Free Senior High School has negatively affected the quality of education, they simply do not know what they are talking about

Our students are excelling in areas like Robotics, and some are even pursuing higher studies in prestigious institutions like Brunel University.

In core subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and English, the results are there for all to see. The NPP administration has not compromised quality; rather, we have enhanced access and opportunity,” he added.

Prof. Boadi hinted that a group of about 200 university educators is preparing to embark on an educational tour across the Central, Upper East, and Upper West regions to further defend and promote the policy.

The objective of the tour, the University of Professional Studies professor say is to engage parents and guardians directly, explaining the immense value of Free SHS and the need to protect it from political threats.

“We believe the policy is under threat,” he said, referencing past statements and pronouncements made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership.

We were in Ghana when we heard some of the NDC’s rejections and criticisms of the program. Even former President John Mahama once remarked that during elections, ‘we don’t tell the absolute truth; we lie small and speak the truth small.’ Mahama is on record to have said, “Ghana must not implement Free SHS on the whimsical promises of a desperate politician. Such statements make us worry about the future of Free SHS under an NDC administration,” he stated.