Akufo-Addo can't implement Free SHS - George Lawson

A Deputy General Secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Lawson has stated categorically that the Akufo-Addo government can never implement the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

According to him, if this current government is serious about implementing the Free SHS policy as promised, the policy should include free school uniforms, free sandals and everything required in education.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh on Tuesday May 16, 2017, said “only students who pass BECE will have the opportunity to enjoy the government’s free SHS policy in September.”

Spelling out the details of the policy “so that no one in Ghana is left in any doubts”, President Akufo-Addo added that in addition to tuition which is already free, there will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals, and day students will get a meal at school for free.”

“Free SHS will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the high school level. I also want to state clearly again that we have a well-thought-out plan that involves the building of new public Senior High Schools and cluster public Senior High Schools,” he added.

Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, George Lawson indicated that Akufo-Addo government has missed the concept of the Free SHS policy; thus, the concept is failed if the policy only covers those who will make it to the Senior High Schools.

“They said it is only brilliant students and this means only the affluent can benefit from the Free SHS policy and the poor students will not get the opportunity. It should not be pass BECE or they don’t understand the English word ‘Free’,” he argued.

“Once they said free, school uniform, sandals and everything should be provided. It is not only the fees but it should include everything concerning education. They have not implemented it; it is only a promise and until it is fulfilled. Promise is not a fulfilment,” he averred.

He however said that even though those who don’t pass should not go to school, the meaning of pass is subjective to denying students from enjoying the Free SHS policy.