Professor Martin Oteng Ababio, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana and leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has sparked outrage with his scathing attack on the Akufo-Addo administration’s Free SHS program.
Despite data showing significant improvements in enrollment and student quality, with Ghanaian WASSCE students ranking top in the sub-region, Prof. Ababio claims the policy “has spelt the doom of the whole educational system”.
Prof. Ababio’s concerns center around the increased student numbers, citing inadequate infrastructure and lecturer shortages. “We are compromising quality for quantity,” he said, highlighting the challenges of teaching large classes and grading numerous essays.
However, many Ghanaians have slammed Prof. Ababio’s assessment as politically motivated and dishonest.
They argue that the benefits of Free SHS, including increased access to education and a highly educated population, outweigh the challenges.
Previous Criticisms and Controversies
Prof. Ababio has been a vocal supporter of the NDC and former President John Mahama. In 2020, he signed the NDC’s petition against the voter’s register compilation and advocated for Mahama’s okada legalization policy, which faced opposition from many Ghanaians.
Background
The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, aims to make secondary education accessible to all Ghanaian youth of school going age.
The policy has four main pillars: removing cost barriers, expanding infrastructure, improving quality and equity, and developing employable skills.
Challenges
Despite its benefits, the policy faces challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and concerns about quality and equity.
Some critics argue that the policy’s implementation has been rushed and underfunded.
-BY Daniel Bampoe