VIDEO: What the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said concerning the Free SHS policy

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the government to reconsider aspects of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, proposing that families who can afford to pay should do so while financial aid is directed towards brilliant but needy students.

During a meeting with the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the Asantehene acknowledged the importance of the policy but emphasised the need for a national dialogue to address its ongoing challenges. 

He expressed concerns about overcrowded dormitories, food shortages, inadequate science and ICT laboratories, and a lack of school buses, which he said were hampering the full benefits of the initiative.

According to him, the current structure of the Free SHS programme is causing disruptions in academic activities, as some students are frequently sent home due to logistical and financial constraints. He argued that a well-implemented system should ensure continuous education without interruptions.

To enhance sustainability, the Asantehene suggested a return to a mixed funding model, where government assistance is reserved for students who genuinely need it, while those who can afford to pay their fees are allowed to do so. He recalled that in previous years, bursaries were awarded to deserving students, while others paid their own fees, ensuring a balance between accessibility and financial sustainability.

He also commended the government’s efforts to reduce wasteful spending as a way to free up funds for stalled educational infrastructure projects. He cited the E-Blocks and other unfinished schools as examples of initiatives that could benefit from such reallocated resources.

On the issue of science and technology education, the Asantehene stressed the need to expand STEM programmes to rural areas to offer equal learning opportunities. He noted that many students in villages have the potential and interest in science but lack access to the necessary resources.

The Free Senior High School policy, introduced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration in 2017, covers tuition, admission fees, library fees, textbooks, boarding, and meals for students in public senior high schools. While it has significantly increased enrollment and provided opportunities for underprivileged students, it has also faced funding challenges, overcrowding, and strained resources.

The Asantehene reiterated the importance of refining the policy to ensure that it meets its intended purpose effectively, allowing students to remain in school without unnecessary setbacks.

Watch the video below;