The Free Senior High School policy that seeks to ensure school-going children in the second cycle institutions enjoy free education has received a series of backlash from a section of Ghanaians after its implementation by the Akufo Addo-led NPP administration as a result of what they termed as poor implementation of the policy.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Educate Africa Institute, an Education Think Tank, Mr. William Boadi has suggested the free Senior High School policy implementation be cancelled for an effective scholarship scheme to be considered for the brilliant but needy students which according to him will ensure quality education in the country.

Mr. William Boadi who was speaking in an interview in the wake of the circulated videos of some GHANASCO students who were made to sleep in washrooms indicated that when the government considers implementing effective scholarships for the brilliant but needy students instead of free SHS, it will lessen the pressure on the country’s economy, indicating that the government will be able to virtually fund the scholarship scheme to make sure we enjoy quality education as a country.

He noted that, the Finance Minister in 2018 stated that the free SHS policy should not be wholesale which according to Mr. Williams Boadi means those who can afford to pay the fees of their wards must be made to do so with the poor and needy ones being subsidized with scholarships.

He stressed that issues surrounding the free Senior High School imply the government’s inability to run the policy implementation as expected due to lack of facilities, equipment, and the needed materials for adequate teaching and learning.

Mr. William Boadi further charged the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to be up and doing in ensuring issues related to education are up to the task indicating that government must surrender on the Free SHS policy if its quality cannot be guaranteed and give way for the rich ones to pay for their wards fees and the needy ones be sponsored with a scholarship scheme because quality education must be a priority of the Free SHS policy.

He added that quality education cannot be achieved with students sleeping in washrooms while others keep complaining of the poor nature of foods served in the various schools.

He stressed that the country has no better future in the education system with how things are managed in various schools.

Mr. Boadi also advised the citizenry to be discerning enough not to be deceived by these politicians with sweet words and do otherwise when they are given the mandate.

Source: Ghana/Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah