Government cannot implement Free SHS alone – Prof. Quartey

Professor Peter Quartey, the Head of Economic Division at the Institute for Statistical Social and Economic Research, has said Government alone cannot effectively and sustainably implement the Free Senior High School policy.

He said the current funding sources were unsustainable to implement the flagship programme and noted that there was the need of exploring other sources of funding.

Prof Quartey was speaking on a panel discussion at the ‘Scorecard’, a multimedia initiative to allow for the assessment of the New Patriotic Party-led-government based on its manifesto presented to Ghanaians during the 2016 campaign.

He called on the Government to consider allowing parents who were willing to pay some amounts for their wards education because “parents are willing to support”.

He said: “allow parents to help in the funding of the programme by allowing the Parents Teacher Association to contribute some of the basic needs of the school…”

Prof Quartey said since the introduction of the policy, parental support in the schools had not been great although some had been willing to contribute, especially those with the Grade A schools.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Minister for Education said parents who desire to assist the system could voluntarily donate to the schools.

Dr Prince Armah, the Head of Institute for Educational Studies on his part said it was expected that the government would address the issues of quality, equity, access, accountability and management associated with education before rolling out the policy.

Mr Anis Haffar, an Educationist said only qualified persons should be trained and recruited to head the country schools to bring about efficiency in the schools.