University Teachers for Free SHS Ghana urge Twifo Heman SHTS to support Free SHS

The advocacy group, University Teachers for Free SHS Ghana, has called on students, staff, and parents of Twifo Heman Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in the Central region to rally behind the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. The group described the initiative as a transformative program that has significantly improved access to education across the country.

The lecturers, including Dr. Eric Boachie Yiadom, Senior Lecturer at UPSA; Dr. Amos Apraku, Senior Lecturer at UENR; Dr. Frank Bannor, Lecturer at GIMPA; Prof. Eugene Darteh, Professor at UCC; and Dr. Leticia Bosu, Lecturer at UCC, made the call during an engagement with the school community on Friday, November 22, 2024. Others are Dr. Robert Owusu Boakye, Lecturer at UPSA; Dr. Akwetey Henry Matey, Lecturer at UPSA; Hon. Lawrence K. Aziale, Lecturer at UPSA; Emmanuel Owusu, Lecturer at UEW; Dr. Justice Kwaku Addo, Senior Lecturer at UCC; and Prof. Isaac Boadi, Dean of the Faculty of Finance & Accounting at UPSA.

They supported their presentation with pictures, short videos, and charts on what the government has done and what is being done to train 21st-century graduates for the country. Again, they gave all the students and teachers first-hand information on the various innovations, interventions, policies, and initiatives that have been introduced under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Impact

Dr. Eric Boachie Yiadom emphasized the profound impact of the Free SHS policy, implemented in 2017, in removing financial barriers that previously hindered many Ghanaian youth from pursuing secondary education.

He urged the students to take full advantage of the opportunity, commit to their studies, and actively participate in ensuring the policy’s continuity.
He underscored the significant strides made through Free SHS. “Education is the foundation of every prosperous nation, and the Free SHS policy ensures that no Ghanaian child is left behind because of financial constraints. Your future is the evidence of its success,” he remarked.

Gender parity

Dr. Frank Bannor, a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), commended the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy for its significant role in promoting gender parity in education across Ghana. According to him, the policy has become a powerful equalizer, enabling boys and girls to access secondary education without financial barriers.
He highlighted the policy’s transformative impact on the country’s educational landscape, particularly in bridging the gender gap in enrollment and retention.

“Since the implementation of the Free SHS policy, we’ve witnessed a remarkable increase in female enrollment in secondary education. Girls who would have otherwise dropped out due to financial constraints are now completing their education, and this is a critical step towards achieving gender parity,” Dr. Bannor stated.

Dr. Bannor noted that prior to the introduction of the Free SHS policy in 2017, socio-economic challenges disproportionately affected girls, especially in rural and underserved communities, where cultural practices often prioritized boys’ education over girls’. He cited recent data from the Ghana Education Service, which shows a narrowing of the gender gap in senior high school enrollment.

Support

Professor at UCC, Dr. Leticia Bosu, called on students and parents to use their thumbs to support Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy in the December 7 polls. She emphasized the critical role families and communities play in sustaining the program’s benefits, which have made secondary education accessible to thousands of Ghanaian youth.

Dr. Bosu highlighted the transformative potential of the Free SHS initiative. She encouraged students to embrace the opportunities provided by the policy, urging them to work hard towards achieving academic excellence and future success.
“The Free SHS policy is a ladder of opportunity that has removed financial barriers for many Ghanaian families. It is now your responsibility to climb that ladder with determination and commitment. One day, I want to see some of you standing here as professors, doctors, and leaders shaping our nation,” Dr. Bosu said.

Sustainability

Prof. Isaac Boadi, Dean of the Faculty of Finance & Accounting at UPSA, emphasized that the sustainability of the Free SHS program requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, particularly parents, as the general elections approach. He urged students to encourage their parents to support their education by fostering a conducive learning environment at home and maintaining close collaboration with teachers and schools.

“Let your parents know, they are partners in this journey. Tell that their votes are critical to ensuring that you as their children make the most of this opportunity. Tell them to work together and vote for Dr. Bawumia to preserve this policy for future generations,” she said.

Investment

Dr. Robert Owusu Boakye, Lecturer at UPSA, noted that since the introduction of the Free SHS initiative in 2017, the government had spent billions of cedis to ensure that all eligible students, regardless of their financial background, have access to secondary education. This, he indicated, had led to increased enrollment, greater gender parity in schools, and improved outcomes in various disciplines.

“Since 2017, we have seen a remarkable transformation in the educational landscape of Ghana. Free Senior High School is one of the greatest successes of our government, and it is a policy we must protect,” he said. He urged the students to ensure that these educational gains are not rolled back by voting against any party or individual that seeks to cancel or undermine the policy.

Teachers and students present at the event lauded the initiative and shared testimonials of how the Free SHS policy has eased the financial burden on households. The visit forms part of a nationwide campaign by University Teachers for Free SHS Ghana to strengthen public understanding of the policy and its far-reaching benefits. The group has been engaging schools, communities, and policymakers to advocate for collective efforts in preserving the program for future generations.