Create space to absorb high numbers of Free SHS students - Akufo-Addo to university heads

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has tasked heads of tertiary institutions across the country to make adequate preparations for the intake of Senior High School students benefitting from the Free Senior High School policy initiated by his government.

Despite pressure from the opposition to terminate the policy, Akufo-Addo, passionate about the plan to ensure every child has access to education, implemented Free SHS in September last year.

The introduction of the Free SHS programme has seen an upsurge in the enrollment of students into government-owned Senior High Schools.

Although he acknowledged that the policy means an increase in the population of students would mount pressure on the universities, he urged Chancellors and Rectors to open their doors to the many students who will seek admissions into their universities.

Addressing the audience at the Investiture and Swearing-In of the Madam Mary Chinery-Hesses as the new Chancellor of the premium university, President Akufo-Addo stressed that it is one of the most important immediate challenges which will confront the higher institutions.

“I urge you madam Chancellor and all heads of our tertiary institution to begin making adequate preparations towards this and future years,” he propagated.

In his words, the other encounters will be the “dramatically increased population of students who will be seeking admission in some two years as a result of the Free Senior High School policy.”

According to the head of state, the SHS policy will be a permanent feature of Ghana’s educational system.



Hence, heads “cannot be caught off guard.”

Ending his speech with a quote, President Akufo-Addo said, “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”