President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed that over 5.7 million senior high school students have benefited from the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme since its launch in 2017.
He admitted that while challenges remain in implementing the Free SHS, the initiative has opened doors for many students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to attend senior high school.
According to a report by adomonline.com, he made these remarks during his tour of the Western North Region on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Nana Akufo-Addo emphasised that the programme has significantly impacted education in Ghana by enabling more students to pursue higher education and has also given the youth an opportunity to enhance their future prospects through education.
He also took a swipe at his detractors, describing them as 'Jeremiahs,' who doubted his commitment to implementing the programme when it was first proposed.
“In the first place, before I became President, every year over 100,000 children graduating from Junior High School were unable to continue to SHS—even if they passed—due to their parents’ financial constraints.
“So, in ten years, over 1,000,000 kids could not proceed in their educational journey. But today, thanks to the Free SHS, which began in 2017, the changes in our educational system are dramatic."
He further noted that "When I assumed office, we had 800,000 students in senior high school. Today, that number has doubled, with 5.7 million students benefiting from the Free SHS policy."
The Free SHS programme is designed to improve access to senior high school education across the country.
It aligns with Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks to ensure that by 2030, all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education, leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
JKB/ ADG
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