The government has been urged to consider a stakeholder consultation to inform the review of the free Senior high school policy to address teething challenges bedeviling the policy for efficiency to achieve the intended purpose.
The Eastern Regional Unit Manager of Plan International Ghana Kofi Adade Debrah made these remarks after inter -Senior high schools debate on quality education to mark AU Day of the African Child.
Five (5) Senior High Schools in the Eastern region that participated were Yilo Krobo SHS, Asesewa, Manya Krobo, Nifa, and Mangoase Senior High Schools. The participants were members of the Girls Making Media Group.
The students debated on the topic “Every Child benefits fully from Quality Education in Ghana. A reality or Mirage”
The students who believe quality education is a mirage advanced their arguments on the premise of infrastructural challenges, inadequate furniture, inadequate teaching, and learning materials, a double-track system that has affected contact hours, overcrowding in classrooms and dormitories, and teachers poor attitude towards teaching due to increased workload and absent of motivation.
This position was however disputed by opposing schools who believe despite the teething challenges listed by their opponents; Free Senior High School Policy has increased access to quality education for all Ghanaian children.
They stated further that, the government is gradually addressing the challenges with the provision of textbooks, infrastructural expansions, posting of more graduate teachers among others. They also expounded that, WiFi connectivity in Senior High Schools is a key step by the government to enhance quality education.
While Nifa SHS won group one, Asesewa SHS also emerged winners in the group two debates held simultaneously. Certificates of Participation and trophy were given to the participants and winners.
Speaking to the Media, the Eastern Regional Unit Manager of Plan International Ghana, Kofi Adade Debrah, commended the government for the introduction of Free Senior High School which he believes will promote access and equality. However, called on the government to consider a stakeholder consultation on the policy to inform the review and address the teething challenges.
“Government should look at all these factors and have some kind of stakeholder consultation in looking at how best to address them so that at the end of the day, the Free education that government is talking about would be truly something that we will be proud about and also leave a good legacy for population yet unborn”.
He added “We believe Ghana is on the right direction because if you compare Ghana with South Korea for example, both Countries had independence almost at the same time but if you look at where South Korea has reached today as compared to Ghana, they are far ahead and there is data to show that it is so because they embraced education to the highest level earlier for that matter strong literacy among the population is leading to development. So it is a good path that government has chosen to ensure that every child gets at least up to secondary education which would help in terms of informed choices about decisions so that at the end of the day the nation benefits”.
Madam Victoria Mini made, the District Development Coordinator of the Eastern Programme Unit of Plan International said, access to quality education is a right of every child, and key to empowering young women to break the glass ceiling.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
