2,569 new SHS students yet to report, not 137,000,- Western North GES
Free-shs
The Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Western North Region has provided clarification regarding the number of unreported senior high school students.
Contrary to the earlier announcement made by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in the region, the actual figure is 2,569, not 137,000.
The Education Directorate stated that out of the anticipated enrollment of 14,558 students in schools across the Western North Region, 11,989 students, accounting for 82 percent, have already collected their admission slots.
Daniel Armah Ofori, the Public Relations Officer of GES in the Western North Region, assured that measures are being implemented to meet the admission targets. He explained, “The current enrollment is 11,989 students, which is about 82 percent, and so our remaining target to meet is 2,569 students. Although significant progress has been made with the enrollment rate, there is still work to be done to meet our set target.”
Ofori also mentioned that circuit supervisors have been deployed by the directorate to raise awareness among parents about the importance of enrolling their children in school.
He stated, “Since we have about 3 percent to meet our target, we are ready to deploy our circuit supervisors to be on the ground to help parents and their wards understand the importance of education, and so most parents are now convinced to bring their wards to school.”
Nana Amo Amankwah, the President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools in the Western North Region, encouraged those facing financial difficulties to still come and collect their admission slots.
He emphasized that schools have provisions such as mattresses, and it is not necessary for students to have all the items listed in the prospectus before attending.
Moreover, a study conducted by Africa Education Watch, an educational civil society organization, revealed that parents’ expenses on prospectuses and other items surpass the costs incurred by the government under the Free Senior High School (FSHS) programme.
The study indicated that during the 2023/2024 academic year, parents spent GH¢2,477 on prospectuses for their children in boarding schools, as well as an additional GH¢4,000 on personal items, including provisions (60%), transportation (10%), books (10%), upkeep (10%), and personal effects like toiletries and sanitary pads (10%).
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
