Parents’ Input Key to Effective Implementation of Free SHS Programme – GNAT
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah, has called for a stakeholder engagement to discuss how parents could contribute to the effective implementation of the free senior high school (SHS) programme.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, Mr Musah stated that the free SHS policy was excellent and widely embraced, but its implementation had been challenging due to cash flow issues. He added that the government subvention for free SHS was in arrears for over three years, which had affected the capitation grant for basic education, in arrears for over two years.
According to Mr Musah, with any major intervention or project, it was necessary to review and make improvements, and the general consensus on the free SHS was that the government must allow parents to support the system. He emphasised that building the country required everyone’s contribution.
To ensure the success of the free SHS programme, Mr Musah said parents, old students and other stakeholders should be invited to provide their input. He noted that this call for review was in line with the government’s vision, as contained in its 2023 Budget Statement to Parliament.
Mr Musah further claimed that the cost of some flagship programmes of the government ranged between GH¢4 billion and GH¢6 billion and that reviewing them would result in some savings to the government. He urged the government to suspend or cancel programmes that were not critical to the country’s development to cut its cloth according to its size.
In a nutshell, the General Secretary of the GNAT, Thomas Musah, has called for a stakeholder engagement to discuss how parents can contribute to the effective implementation of the free SHS programme. He emphasised the need for review and improvements to ensure the success of the programme. Mr Musah urged the government to allow parents to support the system and seek their input to address the prevailing challenges.