Mahama to introduce free secondary education in 2015/2016 academic year
The government has planned to implement a free secondary education system in accordance with the 1992 constitution, President John Mahama has announced.
Delivering the 2014 State of the Nation address Tuesday, the President said the Ministry of Education has already drawn up a road-map to this effect.
“The Ministry of Education, following consultations with stakeholders has prepared a report on the roadmap for a progressive introduction of free secondary education in Ghana as required under the 1992 constitution,” President Mahama said.
“This roadmap will be presented to cabinet for approval and subsequent implementation. Under the guidance of this roadmap, we can anticipate that fees for day students will be abolished at an estimated cost of GHȻ71 million in 2015/2016 academic year,” he added.
The introduction of free secondary education, popularly referred to as "Free SHS" was a contentious issue in Ghana during the 2012 elections, with the population divided as to its implementation. While a section of the public believed that 'Free SHS' will enable many deprived Ghanaians to access secondary education, others expressed fears that it could cause the quality of education in secondary schools to drop.
The President said the government's programme to construct 200 community day schools was on course.
"Architectural drawings, designs and quantities have been completed. Sites for the schools have been selected and the procurement process for the first batch of schools is ongoing," he said.
Earlier, President Mahama spoke of his administration's efforts at improving public basic education in the country.
He said infrastructure had been put up in 1600 communities across the country to enhance teaching and learning.
President Mahama also spoke of plans to upgrade ten polytechnics in the country to technical universities.
He said: "The technical committee set up by the Ministry of Education has completed its work and various stakeholder consultations are currently taking place leading to the final conversation
"We must make education a priority again. The students of this nation deserve to have the confidence that comes from knowing that the education they are receiving will adequately prepare them to navigate this competitive global workplace", he noted.