The Ministry of Education is gearing up to present the Free Senior High School Bill, 2024, to Cabinet this week, marking a significant step towards formalizing the provision of free and compulsory education at the senior high school (SHS) level in Ghana.
Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, disclosed last Friday that the bill aims to not only legally endorse free SHS but also propose substantial reforms to the educational system.
One of the key proposals includes decoupling junior high school (JHS) from basic education and integrating it into secondary education, effectively extending secondary education to six years.
Dr Adutwum emphasized that the bill also seeks to eliminate the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a mandatory requirement for SHS admission, opting instead to use it for school placement purposes. This shift is aimed at easing the transition from JHS to SHS and ensuring equal access to secondary education for all eligible students.
Under the constitutional mandate outlined in Article 38 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the state is obligated to provide educational facilities at all levels and in all regions, with an emphasis on making these facilities accessible to all citizens.
Since its inception, the Free SHS policy has significantly increased enrollment rates at the secondary level, with over 505,000 students entering first-year classes this year alone. This surge in enrollment underscores the policy’s success in broadening access to education across the country.
Dr Adutwum highlighted the policy’s positive impact, particularly in northern regions where it has led to a substantial rise in JHS to SHS transition rates. He stressed the importance of compulsory education in preventing social challenges and ensuring a brighter future for all Ghanaian children.
In response to concerns about funding and logistical challenges associated with Free SHS, Dr Adutwum acknowledged the need for continuous review and improvement.
He cited the government’s commitment to ensuring that parents who can afford to contribute financially are encouraged to do so, thereby alleviating some of the financial burdens on the state.
The introduction of the Free SHS Bill has sparked debates within Parliament, with the Majority and Minority caucuses engaging in discussions about its implications and implementation.
While the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed confidence in the bill’s potential to enhance educational access, the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, emphasized the need for transparency and comprehensive review before its enactment.