The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has taken issue with the current implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, arguing that flaws in the school placement system are eroding the policy’s intended benefits.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, the Effutu MP said that although government officials have touted a reduction in inflation, this claim does not mirror the everyday struggles of Ghanaians—especially parents with children entering SHS this academic year.
“Whereas they would say that inflation has eased, we would want to look at the realities on the market,” he said.
He explained that many parents are still bearing heavy financial burdens despite the Free SHS programme’s goal of reducing costs. According to him, parents continue to purchase essential items such as learning materials and provisions that should ideally be covered under the policy.
“The recent SHS students who are going, parents are complaining that they have to buy everything. So, it really negates the import of the Free SHS,” he stated.
The Minority Leader further criticised the current school placement process, describing it as ineffective and overly stressful for families.
He highlighted instances where students from Winneba were placed in faraway schools like Bawku or Koforidua—placements he said impose unnecessary financial and logistical challenges on parents.
“If somebody is in Winneba and then you place the person in Koforidua, or the person is going to Bawku from Winneba what is the gain?” he asked. “There is no value in Free SHS if accessibility becomes a burden.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that the existing placement approach marks a significant departure from earlier systems and urged the government to urgently review it to ensure fairness and accessibility for all students.
“The Free SHS placement system that has crashed must be looked at,” he asserted. “It’s not the case in the past, and we challenge them on that.”
He added that these concerns are not limited to political opponents but are widely shared by parents who have publicly voiced frustration over their children’s placements and the unexpected expenses involved.
“It’s not the Minority that is saying so. Parents have had to complain about how their children were placed,” he noted.
Source : Adomonline