Richard Ahiagba, director of communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), said President Akufo-Addo’s call for an improvement in the free high school policy is very different from the opposition National Democratic Congress’ call for a review of the free high school policy. Stated. policy.
The free SHS policy, the flagship program of President Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party government, has remained a hot topic since its launch in September 2017.
While many people welcome the policy, which removes economic barriers that have made it impossible for children from poor families to attend secondary education, others believe it has not been properly implemented.
Many high schools suffer from inadequate infrastructure, leading to double-tracking. Parents have expressed concerns about inadequate meals being provided to their wards and the difficulties school principals face in running schools because the government has banned some additional fees as a result of this policy. .
For critics of the policy, the program is thought to have reduced the quality of education at SHS level, but the ruling party has backed this claim on the basis of the mass exodus of SHS candidates since the policy began. had been neglected, but it has come to the fore for the following reasons. The passing rate will be better.
NDC 2024 standard bearer and former president John Mahama has reiterated that the party will review its policies to ensure that quality education is not affected at that level.
However, the NPP and President Akufo-Addo have interpreted this to mean an end to the policy if the NDC returns to power. Many have pointed out that the President is about to reverse course and agree to the NDC’s calls for a review after he called for improvements to free SHS in his last State of the Nation address.
“Mr Speaker, I believe that the success of Free SHS has answered its critics and we should stop discussing it and just focus on finding ways to improve it.” the president said.
But when we talk Joy News PM Express On Tuesday after the President’s speech, NPP Public Relations Director Richard Ahiagba said Mr Mahama’s calls for a review and the President’s calls for policy improvement were not the same.
“Regarding Free SHS, I think it also needs to be emphasized that the NDC was never about Free SHS in principle. They have supported progressives in principle. , I need to explain that point.
“I must also point out that there is a difference between the review promised by the NDC and the improvements the President is talking about. They are not the same. The aim is to stop it,” Ahiagba argued.
Kaizen can’t do that. Improvement means continuing to invest in strengthening free SHS and making sure that it actually addresses the cost barrier that is its main purpose, and that helps people like me and backgrounds like mine. It’s about ensuring access is provided to those who have. education. “That’s the value of the improvements the president is talking about,” he explained.
When asked about the improvement plan, Ahiagba further explained: “The plan is basically to ramp up investment and continue that investment to make sure we build a significant amount of infrastructure and invest in teacher training. And now we’re seeing an expansion.” With TVET [Technical and vocational education and training] This is also included in the free SHS component to ensure that young people have greater access to education. ”
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