NAGRAT President, Angel Carbonu calls for review of Free SHS Policy

Angel Carbonu, the President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), has  urged the government to reassess its educational policy, the free Senior High School (SHS) program, in order to address any shortcomings that have hindered its progress.

Various stakeholders in the education sector have called for a review of the policy, which has encountered several challenges since its implementation.

During his national tour, former President John Dramani Mahama reiterated his commitment to revising the policy if he is elected president in the upcoming 2024 elections.

However, Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, dismissed these calls, stating that the free SHS program requires improvements rather than a complete overhaul.

While acknowledging the criticisms leveled against the policy, Dr. Adutwum emphasized the need for targeted improvements in specific areas.

In an interview on Eyewitness News, NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu stressed the importance of the government addressing concerns raised by stakeholders in order to enhance the free SHS program.

Carbonu specifically highlighted the issue of the double-track system, which has not been fully implemented due to a lack of facilities in some senior high schools.

“Our union has already called for a review of the free SHS program. Any project requires periodic reviews to identify challenges and make necessary improvements. When you visit many schools, you’ll find infrastructure and resources deteriorating. One of the reasons the government has been unable to eliminate the double-track system is the failure of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to provide the planned facilities. The Ministry of Finance has not transferred the full amount of the GETFund taxes and revenues collected in the country back to GETFund,” Carbonu explained.

He emphasized that education belongs to the people, and it is important to involve stakeholders in discussions to develop an all-encompassing education policy that benefits everyone.

“For years, NAGRAT has maintained the position that the government should engage all stakeholders in a dialogue to create an education policy that is comprehensive and beneficial to all. The government represents everyone, so we need to listen to the voices of all citizens and formulate an educational policy that addresses all aspects,” Carbonu stated.

He advised the government to allocate resources to other crucial areas in education.

“The funding of free SHS is taking away resources from other areas that are also in need. A comprehensive review should encompass infrastructure, educational materials, and teaching resources, as these are all vital,” he expressed.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh