The National Youth Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has stated that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy is protected by the 1992 Constitution, that no government can cancel the policy until the Constitution is suspended.
Opare Addo refuted claims by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the NDC intends to scrap the policy if voted into power.
He argued that the Free SHS program is a constitutional mandate in Article 25 of the Constitution , which successive governments are obliged to implement progressively.
The NDC Youth Organizer said this on Thursday when addressing teachers from deprived communities in the Asuogyaman Constituency and also Apegusu Community members .
He was accompanied by the Member of Parliament for the area, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, as part of his campaign tour.
George Opare Addo criticized the NPP government for poor implementation of the Free SHS policy, which he believes has negatively impacted the quality of education.
He cited the introduction of the double-track system as a major setback, reducing contact hours for students and affecting learning outcomes.
He also pointed to the prolonged lack of textbooks and other teaching materials, overcrowding in classrooms and dormitories, and poor feeding in schools as issues undermining the policy’s effectiveness.
Gorge Opare Addo pointed out the recent distribution of expired rice to Senior High Schools as an example of the government’s failure to prioritize student welfare.
He described the incident as a demonstration of insensitivity to the health and well-being of students.
He announced NDC’s plan to abolish double track system, decentralized feeding grants to headmasters to improve food quality, and expand infrastructure to decongest the schools.
In addition to education, Opare Addo criticized the government for a range of issues, including the collapse of financial institutions, corruption scandals, and the diversion of public funds for the National Cathedral project.
He argued that these challenges, combined with the current economic hardships, have made life unbearable for many Ghanaians.
The NDC Youth Organizer urged teachers and constituents to vote for Thomas Ampem Nyarko in the upcoming elections to continue driving development in the constituency.
He also called on voters to support the NDC in the 2024 general elections, promising better governance and improvements in key sectors.
The MP, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, accounted to the constituents a tall list of projects and programs which cut across education, health, water and sanitation, economic empowerment, youth empowerment among others with his 5% share of the MPs common fund.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
