Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has articulated his commitment to reforming the management of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
Speaking during an interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on Friday, November 29, 2024, Mr. Mahama expressed his intention to abolish the Free SHS Secretariat, citing issues of corruption, inefficiency, and mismanagement under the current government.
According to Mr. Mahama, the Free SHS policy holds significant potential to improve access to education and contribute to national development. However, he stressed that the current structure, which involves a stand-alone secretariat, has undermined the effectiveness of the programme due to duplications, waste, and alleged corrupt practices. He described these issues as detrimental to the broader goals of the policy and suggested that immediate reforms are necessary to address these challenges.
Mr. Mahama proposed transferring the management of the Free SHS programme to the Ghana Education Service (GES), a move he believes will enhance accountability and streamline operations. The GES, as an established institution with a clear mandate to oversee the educational sector, is better positioned to supervise the implementation of Free SHS, he argued.
In outlining his vision for the policy, Mr. Mahama emphasized the importance of building a more efficient and transparent system. He explained that placing the programme under the GES would eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication of roles, thus reducing waste and ensuring that resources are directed to areas that will directly benefit students and schools.
“We all need to sit and look at what the lapses are and see how we can cure those lapses going forward. We want to cut waste. This government is very good at duplicating and creating new offices just to create jobs for the boys. The GES has the mandate and authority to supervise the educational sector, so I don’t see why you would have a stand-alone Free SHS Secretariat,” he said.
Mr. Mahama also raised concerns about the alleged corruption within the Free SHS Secretariat, claiming that such practices undermine public trust in the programme. “I hear the rot and corruption that are going on there,” he remarked, stressing the need for stronger oversight to restore confidence in the policy.
The former President clarified that his proposed reforms would not disrupt the core objectives of the Free SHS policy. Instead, they aim to strengthen the programme by ensuring it operates within a well-defined institutional framework. Senior High School coordinators, he noted, would continue in their roles but under the supervision of the GES.
This proposal forms part of Mr. Mahama’s broader vision for the education sector, which includes addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient teaching and learning materials. He underscored the need for a comprehensive review of the Free SHS policy to identify and address its weaknesses while preserving its core objectives of enhancing access and equity.
Mr. Mahama’s comments also touched on the broader governance issues that, in his view, have characterized the current administration. He criticized the government for what he described as a pattern of creating redundant offices and duplicating roles, which he argued contributes to inefficiency and waste of public resources. He called for a departure from such practices, emphasizing the importance of prudent resource management and accountability in public administration.
The Free SHS policy, introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in 2017, has been a significant point of debate in Ghanaian politics. While the policy has been lauded for increasing enrollment and reducing financial barriers to secondary education, critics have raised concerns about its implementation, funding, and impact on the quality of education.
Mr. Mahama’s proposal to abolish the Free SHS Secretariat reflects his commitment to addressing these concerns and ensuring that the policy achieves its intended goals. He reiterated his belief in the transformative potential of education and the need for strategic reforms to make the system more effective and sustainable.
As the NDC’s flagbearer, Mr. Mahama has consistently advocated for reforms in various sectors, including education, health, and governance. His latest remarks on the Free SHS programme underscore his focus on addressing inefficiencies and promoting accountability as central pillars of his campaign.
The upcoming elections are expected to feature robust debates on key policy issues, with education likely to be a prominent topic. Mr. Mahama’s proposals are set to spark discussions among stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and parents, about the future of the Free SHS programme and the broader education sector in Ghana.
In the interview, Mr. Mahama expressed confidence in his ability to lead the country toward a more efficient and equitable education system. He called on Ghanaians to support his vision, emphasizing that his proposed reforms are driven by a desire to improve the lives of students and ensure the sustainable development of the nation.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the NDC’s flagbearer remains steadfast in his commitment to addressing the challenges facing Ghana’s education sector. By placing the Free SHS programme under the GES, Mr. Mahama believes that the policy can be better managed to achieve its objectives and contribute to national development.
In conclusion, Mr. Mahama’s proposal to abolish the Free SHS Secretariat represents a bold step toward reforming the policy’s implementation. By transferring its management to the GES, he seeks to enhance accountability, reduce waste, and ensure that the programme fulfills its promise of providing quality education for all Ghanaian students. With education being a cornerstone of development, Mr. Mahama’s vision for the sector reflects his commitment to building a brighter future for the nation.
