The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for a critical review of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, stating that if the government is unable to provide adequate food and housing for students, the policy should be reconsidered or restructured. He also highlighted the need for sustainable solutions to address any challenges facing the implementation of the Free SHS policy.
Speaking at a public event, the revered traditional leader emphasized that, while the Free SHS policy has significantly improved access to education, challenges such as inadequate food supply, overcrowded dormitories, and a lack of learning materials continue to impede educational quality.
He emphasized that education is more than just free tuition; it is also about providing students with a conducive learning environment, adequate feeding, and housing to support their academic journey.
In order to avoid a drop in educational standards, Otumfuo urged policymakers to evaluate the program’s sustainability and suggested that if the government is unable to provide for these basic needs, the policy should either be redesigned to increase efficiency or completely reexamined.
His remarks contribute to the ongoing national discussion concerning the viability and efficacy of the Free SHS program, as interested parties continue to voice concerns regarding funding and implementation issues.