Free SHS has exposed corruption in public schools - Atik Mohammed

The suspended General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr. Mohammed Atik says he has come to the realization of massive corruption in public Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country following the introduction of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

“Until the implementation of free education policy, I did not know that the extent of corruption in SHSs is so big”, he observed.

According to him, some headmasters and headmistresses are so worried that school fees and other fees have now been absorbed by the government which is a major source of worry to them.

“Some have introduced cost of labor items like Cutlass and hoes and other means to extort money from parents”, Mr. Mohammed Atik alleged on Peace Fm.

There are reports that some headmasters and headmistresses of second cycle institutions are charging extra fees despite communication by authorities that no one should pay anything as the implementation of free SHS started earlier this week.

Sources indicate that some school heads in the Northern Region and other regions were defying the directive and going ahead to charge extra fees with some snapshots of the stated amount on social media

Speaking to issue, the embattled General Secretary warned those heads against the practice lauding government for making the New Patriotic Party campaign promise a reality.

“I am particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm of the President, the Vice president and the Ministers of Education. …they have made my day”, Mr. Mohammed Atik revealed.

“On and on I think it is a fantastic policy despite teething challenges”, he pointed out promising support to ensure its successes.