Bright Appiah
The Executive Director of Child Rights International (CRI), Mr. Bright Appiah, has applauded President John Dramani Mahama for his unwavering commitment to maintaining and improving Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
Describing the decision as a crucial step towards equitable education, Mr. Appiah rejected calls from some stakeholders to introduce reforms that would require boarding students to pay for accommodation and feeding.
He warned that such proposals, if implemented, would weaken the programme’s core objective of eliminating financial barriers to secondary education.
“Any attempt to shift financial responsibilities onto parents defeats the very essence of the Free SHS policy,” Mr. Appiah stated. “This initiative was designed to promote inclusivity, and altering its structure could deepen inequalities.”
He further stressed that every policy has its nature and form, and any attempt to offload responsibilities onto parents distorts the policy’s original intent.
Mahama’s Commitment to Strengthening Free SHS
During his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving the Free SHS policy rather than dismantling it.
“Mr. Speaker, let me be clear—I, John Dramani Mahama, will not cancel the Free SHS programme. Instead, I will strengthen it by addressing its implementation challenges,” he declared.
The President assured parents and students that his government was committed to enhancing the programme’s effectiveness and ensuring it serves the best interests of all Ghanaian children.
Mr. Appiah supported this stance, emphasising that the inefficiencies in Free SHS are not due to a lack of resources but rather issues of effective management. He urged the government to focus on better implementation strategies to make the programme more efficient.
CRI’s Stand Against Unilateral Reforms
CRI has strongly opposed unilateral modifications to the Free SHS policy, cautioning that such changes could undermine its original intent.
The organisation insists that the policy must remain intact to guarantee access to education for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Mr. Appiah urged the government to resist pressure from groups pushing for reforms that could place additional financial burdens on families.
“Preserving the integrity of the Free SHS programme is essential. We must not allow policies that could erode its impact and create further disparities in education,” he emphasised.
As discussions around Free SHS continue, CRI remains steadfast in its advocacy to ensure that the policy stays true to its mission—making secondary education accessible and free for every Ghanaian child.
Mahama’s ‘Teacher Dabrɛ’ Initiative to Boost Education
Beyond Free SHS, President Mahama also unveiled bold measures to enhance teacher welfare and improve education quality nationwide.
He announced that no new school would be built without teachers’ accommodation attached, ensuring that educators have better living conditions, particularly in underserved areas.
Additionally, he introduced the ‘Teacher Dabrɛ’ initiative, a programme aimed at incentivising educators to work in rural communities. As part of this initiative, teachers who accept postings to rural areas will receive a 20% allowance.
“This initiative is about fairness and ensuring quality education for all,” Mahama stated. “Teachers in rural areas make sacrifices, and they deserve to be recognised and rewarded.”
Mr. Appiah welcomed these new policies, describing them as efficient mechanisms that, when implemented, will significantly improve the education sector.
“These measures will not only motivate teachers but also ensure that students, regardless of location, have access to quality education,” he said.
With these bold steps, President Mahama’s government aims to strengthen the entire education system, ensuring that both students and teachers benefit from a well-structured, inclusive, and sustainable policy framework.