Structure of Free SHS doesn’t promote quality education – Gyampo

Reputable University of Ghana political science lecturer Professor Ransford Gyampo recently expressed serious doubts regarding the viability and quality of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) program.

Professor Gyampo outlined the policy’s basic shortcomings in his remarks at the Relief and Aid International Educational Scholarship inauguration in Accra.

He specifically criticized the policy’s negative effects on educational quality and the financial burden it places on public coffers.

One of the government’s most ambitious initiatives in education has been the Free SHS policy, which was implemented with the intention of removing financial barriers to secondary education in Ghana.

Professor Gyampo contends that the policy’s design, which offers free education to all students irrespective of their financial situation, is bad for the standard of education.

He advocates for a refocused strategy that gives academically qualified but underprivileged pupils priority.

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He argues that this focused approach would guarantee the maintenance of excellent academic standards while also relieving the government of some of its financial burden.

Based on the observation that the government, in spite of its best efforts, does not have the necessary resources to effectively implement the Free SHS program for every student, Professor Gyampo bases his criticism on this fact.

“Government is trying to provide free education to everybody, free SHS to everybody. But it knows it doesn’t have the resources to do it. But because we have promised that we will do it, we will do it at all costs, whether we can do it or we can’t do it, we will still do it. That does not promote quality education,” he explained.

He claims that because resources are limited and the educational infrastructure is overburdened, this drive on universal coverage degrades education.

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), added to the discussion by raising questions about the reliability of Ghana’s educational support systems.

Speaking at the same function, he attacked the distribution of scholarships—which are often given to deserving students.

He pointed out a concerning change in their distribution, asserting that scholarships are increasingly frequently given to people who do not need financial assistance.

He contends that this conduct not only betrays a serious lack of integrity in Ghana’s political and educational arenas, but it also violates the concept of justice.

In order to emphasize how crucial it is to uphold the original intent of scholarships, Nyaho-Tamakloe recounted some of his own experiences.

Scholarships are typically awarded to those in need. I received a scholarship to attend college. I received a scholarship to attend secondary school.

I had a scholarship to attend school. However, scholarships intended for the underprivileged are now awarded to wealthy individuals. It informs you that Ghana now has the lowest level of integrity.”

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe and Professor Gyampo’s remarks both draw attention to important issues that educational programs must deal with.

In their comments, they urge a review of the Free SHS policy and the scholarship allocation process, calling for a return to a system that facilitates the academic progress of eligible students.

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