I will improve Free SHS programme if elected president – Bawumia

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following his government’s introduction of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme in 2017 has promised to improve upon the flagship education policy.

In a televised national address at the UPSA auditorium monitored by Thisterm.com on February 7, 2023, the Vice-President said the country recorded the highest-ever enrollment level in SHS, with around 500,000 students in 2023.

Outlining his vision for the country if elected President in the 2024 general election, he described the performance of students who wrote the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2023 as the best since 2015.

“We have also implemented Free SHS with an increase in enrollment from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.4 million by 2022. The year 2023 has recorded the highest-ever level of enrollment in Senior High School of around 500,000 students

The performance of the students at WASSCE is also the best since 2015 and we have also achieved gender parity. Under my government, Free SHS will continue, and we will improve upon it,” the NPP presidential candidate stated.

In other news, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, says if elected President of Ghana again, he within the first 100 days of his next term of government will review the Free SHS programme.

Citing the positive impact of the Free second-cycle school program on the country’s education, the former President emphasized the need for a thorough review to enhance its benefits for both students and parents.

“When you implement a policy, you must take stock after a while to see whether you are achieving your target, When we win power in 2024, we will have a forum to review the education sector, and we will invite teachers, parents, educationists and students and then we will review the free SHS policy.

We will address issues that are not going well, like the feeding of students. The free SHS is a good policy but the government must put in place measures that will ensure that things are less expensive.

My nephew has been placed under free SHS but we are spending a lot of money to buy things on his prospectus because the government has mismanaged the economy so everything has gone up

“When we come, within 100 days, we will review the Free Senior High School, so that teachers, parents, and students will enjoy the benefits of the Free SHS policy,” the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 election said.