Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has challenged claims by New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme has deteriorated under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
Dr Bawumia raised concerns about the implementation of the programme while addressing the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, arguing that Free SHS had suffered setbacks since the NDC returned to power.
Mr Iddrisu, however, rejected the assessment, insisting that the government had inherited some of the challenges currently confronting the programme and was taking measures to address them.
Responding to the former Vice President’s comments, the Education Minister said the previous administration also faced challenges with the implementation of Free SHS, necessitating a review by the current government.
“Doctor Bawumia must come again when he says that the Free Senior High School is suffering. Maybe to remind him that it was suffering under him and that required us as a government to review the implementation of the Free Senior High School,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu also dismissed concerns that students were not receiving sufficient food under the programme.
He explained that government had reviewed the funding arrangement for feeding in senior high schools, with the uncapping of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) helping to improve food supplies.
“President John Dramani Mahama has reviewed the Free SHS and its funding mechanism for feeding. With the uncapping of the GETFund, adequate food supplies have been made available to all senior high schools across the country unlike it was in the last eight years of the NPP administration,” he stated.
The Minister further disputed Dr Bawumia’s claim that the NPP introduced free tuition through the Free SHS programme.
According to him, tuition in public education institutions has been free in Ghana since independence, and therefore the claim does not accurately reflect the country’s history of education financing.
“When Dr Bawumia says that tuition was free under the New Patriotic Party, that is also not true. Throughout history and since independence, tuition has remained free at all levels of education in Ghana,” Mr Iddrisu said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing challenges within the Free SHS programme and improving conditions for students and schools.
READ ALSO:
Free SHS suffering under NDC gov’t – Bawumia
No bribery at Kumasi placement centre – Free SHS Secretariat
