PTA Calls for Urgent Review of Free SHS Policy to Address Challenges.
The Public Relations Officer of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Irene Sam, has emphasized the need for a review of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy to address persistent challenges in the second-cycle education sector. According to her, such a review is critical to ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of the program.
Her call follows a recent statement by the General Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Primus Baro, urging parents to support their wards with food due to food shortages in senior high schools.
Speaking in an interview with Nana Osei Ampofo Adjei on Adom TV, Mrs. Irene Sam revealed that the PTA conducted a tour to assess the food shortage crisis firsthand but was denied access to schools by CHASS.
“We are not happy about the situation in the schools. As a Parents Association, we have asked parents to support their children with food when they are going back to school. This will ensure that, in case the schools are unable to provide food, the children will not go hungry,” she explained.
The food shortage issue in secondary schools has raised widespread concern among stakeholders, prompting calls for immediate action. According to Mrs. Sam, the PTA’s inability to fully assess the situation highlights the need for greater transparency and collaboration among education stakeholders.
Mrs. Irene Sam also stressed the importance of shared responsibility in improving the Free SHS program. While commending the government for implementing the policy, she noted that the financial burden could be eased if parents who are capable of paying fees are allowed to do so.
“Education is a shared responsibility. We cannot leave everything in the hands of the government. At least the policy should be reviewed so that parents who can pay will do so to ease the burden on the government and make the policy better,” she stated.
The call for a review of the Free SHS policy is not new, but it has gained renewed urgency in light of the ongoing food shortages. According to stakeholders like Mrs. Sam, revisiting the policy would ensure it becomes more inclusive and sustainable, addressing the challenges that have persisted since its implementation.
As the new academic term approaches, parents are being encouraged to support their children with food and other necessities to cushion them against the challenges in schools. Meanwhile, the government and other stakeholders are urged to prioritize a review of the Free SHS policy to guarantee its long-term success and to ensure that no child is left behind in the pursuit of quality education.
The Free SHS policy remains a significant milestone in Ghana’s education system, but a collaborative approach involving parents, teachers, and the government is essential to making it better for all stakeholders.