Free SHS challenges will be resolved by June 2018 - Deputy Education Minister

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Adutwum has said the major challenges confronting the Akufo-Addo led-government’s flagship Free Senior High School programme will be resolved by mid-2018.

The free SHS policy that begun in September this year increased school enrollment in all Senior High Schools across the country, bringing untold difficulties on school administrators due partly to what many analysts say is the result of an inexhaustive planning process.

The school administrators, many of them overwhelmed by the numbers, have taken bold initiatives and are currently ensuring the smooth running of the program despite the challenges.

An uncompleted building on the premises of the school has been converted into a classroom, but students say they are unable to concentrate on lessons because they are easily distracted by animals roaming close to the makeshift classroom.

For instance at Vitting SHS and Kalipohini SHS, both in the Northern Region first-year students of the two schools have had to sleep in the open or under trees, exposing them to attacks from both reptiles and robbers.

But speaking to Host Akwasi Nsiah on Si Mi So on Kasapa FM, Dr Yaw Adutwum said government continues to work assiduously the students are relieved of some of the difficult situation they find themselves.

He said lots of furniture has been supplied to schools where there was a dire need for, while construction works on dormitories and classrooms in some schools like Accra Girls and West Africa are underway.

“Lots of contracts have been awarded and in January 2018, contractors will start working on construction of dormitories, Assembly Halls, Dining Halls and classroom blocks in several schools across the country. They’ve been given six months to complete work so that the next batch of Free SHS beneficiaries who will be enrolled in September will be relieved of the difficulties their seniors have gone through.”