The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the introduction of the free senior High School program is one of the most significant social intervention Ghana has attained Independence in 1957.
Presidency.gov.gh reports that Free SHS will continue to positively affect the lives of every Ghanaian, and the other generations to come.
“The Free SHS is the most significant social intervention introduced in Ghana since independence,” Vice President Bawumia stated on Saturday, 15th February, 2020 at Swedru in the Central Region.
The Vice President Bawumia, further made emphasises that the only way a nation could develop, is to educate it’s citizens. He was speaking at the 61st Speech and Prize Giving Day of the Swedru Senior High School.
The ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), promised to make high school free for every student when elected into power in 2016.
The party has since enacted legislation to make basic education up to senior high school level and today, 1.2 million children are benefiting from Free SHS.
“This was a promise we made prior to the election in 2016 and one that we have fulfilled. We are investing and building capacity for the future of this country.
“The future of this nation depends largely on the kind of education that is provided for its citizenry. It is against this background that the President’s focus is on provision of quality education for every Ghanaian child, irrespective of their social or economic status in the society. Every Ghanaian child through quality education must be empowered to become economically independent,” he maintained.
Bawumia stated that although they faced some challenges with the introduction of the double track, the necessary measures are being put in place for a smooth education system.
“The fact is that without the double track system, hundreds of thousands of students would not be able to access free SHS. Those who are criticizing the double track system have not been able to offer an alternative. Abolishing the double track system means abolishing free SHS as we know it. Thousands will have stay at home. Whose child should stay at home?
“This is why government is investing in the construction of new infrastructure at senior high schools across the country and some schools are no longer on the double track. The double track system will therefore be over in just a few years for all schools when the infrastructure is completed.”
Source: presidency.gov.gh
