Free SHS never faced financial crisis under my watch – NAPO slams critics

Former Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has affirmed that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme did not experience any financial crisis during his tenure.

Speaking in an interview on GHOneTV with Serwaa Amihere on December 18, 2025, NAPO dismissed claims that the flagship policy faced funding challenges while he was in office.

He explained, “Government consistently met its financial obligations to schools, ensuring the smooth running of academic activities across the country. Funding challenges often associated with Free SHS emerged after my exit from the ministry.”

NAMiPO noted that resources were carefully managed to support key components of the programme, including feeding, textbooks, teaching and learning materials, and grants to schools, contributing to improved student outcomes.

He further clarified that the introduction of the double-track system was not due to financial constraints, but a strategic response to increased enrolment following the rollout of Free SHS. “The policy helped expand access without compromising quality,” he stated.

Highlighting the social impact of Free SHS, NAPO added, “More children remained in school rather than engaging in domestic work, and that is one of the major successes of the programme.”

His remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the sustainability of Free SHS and the management of education financing under successive administrations.