Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) has called on Parliament to delay the introduction of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Bill until comprehensive consultations are held with relevant stakeholders in the education sector.
The education think tank expressed concern over the government’s plan to present the Free Senior High School Bill 2024 in Parliament on December 16, stating that the process lacks the necessary stakeholder engagement.
In a statement sighted by GhanaEducation.org, Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) emphasized the importance of inclusivity and transparency in formulating policies that affect Ghana’s education system.
It has urged the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, to facilitate discussions with stakeholders, including education experts, civil society organizations, and parent-teacher associations, to ensure that the Bill reflects a broad consensus.
The unions say a rush in the introduction of the Bill by Parliament could undermine the quality of education and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of the Free SHS policy, which has been a major initiative of the current government.
Addressing a section of the media ahead of the parliamentary sitting, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) President Angel Carbonu stressed that the bill, in its current form, could lead to unforeseen consequences for the future of education in the country.
Meanwhile, the Free Senior High School Bill, 2024, drafted by the Ministry of Education (MoE), is to give legal backing to the provision of free and compulsory education at the Senior High School level.
