Free SHS funding: Former Valley View University VC backs Ken Ofori Atta

Former Vice Chancellor for Valley View University, Prof. Dr Dr Daniel Bour has backed suggestions raised by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, that the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy must target the vulnerable, saying, that will create more spaces to accumulate more students.

He said allowing those with affluent backgrounds to pay for their wards’ fees will ease the financial burden on the government for the policy’s sustainability, paving way for those with financial challenges to enjoy the policy without hindrances.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has suggested that the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy must target the vulnerable ones who lack the financial capacity and allow those with the means to pay for their children continue to pay fees.

Mr Ofori Atta’s comments came after the government through President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo revealed that, it was going to implement a dual tracking system at the SHS level due to the huge challenges in financing its flagship programme and said there must be changes in the way the policy is being administered in the future.

Prof. Dr Dr Bour supported the Finance Minister’s suggestion when addressing parents at Wilson Adventist Preparatory School during their graduation ceremony held at their school premises, with the theme “Enhancing Quality Education, Responsibility for All”, at Kotei – Doduako, in Kumasi.

“I support the Finance Minister, those who have money should pay for their children to lessen the financial burden on the government to sustain the policy because the government is spending a lot on the policy. It will also encourage poor parents to send their children to school to enjoy free education.

“The various schools have become choked due to the free SHS policy and therefore I suggest that the government should expand various schools by building more infrastructures with the money accrued through fees paid by the rich people, to reduce congestion,” he suggested.