Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has rejected claims by New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme has suffered significant setbacks under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration. Dr. Bawumia criticised the implementation of the programme at the NPP's National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, arguing that it had deteriorated since the NDC government assumed office.
Mr. Iddrisu disputed Dr. Bawumia's assessment, stating that the government had taken steps to address challenges affecting the programme and improve its implementation. He noted that some of the challenges confronting Free SHS were inherited from the previous administration. Mr. Iddrisu reminded Dr. Bawumia that the programme had required review and improvement when the NDC government took over.
The Education Minister also rejected claims that students were not receiving adequate meals, saying the government had reviewed the funding mechanism for feeding under the Free SHS programme. The uncapping of the GETFund had enabled the government to improve food supplies to senior high schools across the country. Mr. Iddrisu contrasted this with the previous NPP administration, which he claimed had not provided adequate food supplies.
Mr. Iddrisu further disputed Dr. Bawumia's assertion that the NPP administration introduced free tuition under the Free SHS programme. He stated that tuition has historically been free at all levels of public education in Ghana since independence. According to Mr. Iddrisu, Dr. Bawumia's claim misrepresented the history of education financing in the country.
The Education Minister maintained that the government remained committed to improving the implementation of Free SHS and addressing challenges affecting students and schools. He expressed confidence that the measures taken by the government would lead to better outcomes for the programme. Mr. Iddrisu's comments reflect the ongoing debate about the Free SHS programme in Ghana.
Dr. Bawumia's comments at the NPP's National Delegates Conference sparked controversy, with the NDC administration pushing back against his claims. The Free SHS programme has been a flagship policy of the NDC government, and its implementation has been closely watched by stakeholders. The debate highlights the challenges of implementing large-scale education programmes in Ghana.
The disagreement between Haruna Iddrisu and Dr. Bawumia reflects the intense political debate surrounding education policy in Ghana. Both the NPP and NDC have made significant investments in education, but challenges persist. The Free SHS programme has expanded access to education, but its implementation has faced criticism from various stakeholders.
Key points
- Haruna Iddrisu rejects Dr. Bawumia's claims of Free SHS setbacks
- The government has reviewed the funding mechanism for feeding under the Free SHS programme
- Tuition has historically been free at all levels of public education in Ghana since independence
