Reject the proposed Free SHS Bill - NAGRAT urges Parliamentary Select Committee on Education

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has vehemently opposed the proposed Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill currently under discussion by Parliament's Select Committee on Education.

According to myjoyonline.com, in a statement released on July 3, 2024, NAGRAT criticized the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei-Adutwum's proposal to separate Junior High Schools (JHS) from primary schools and abolish the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as prerequisites for SHS admission.

They described these plans as unfortunate and stressed the need for broader stakeholder engagement before implementing significant educational reforms.

"We hereby express our disappointment over the lack of extensive stakeholder consultations and inputs on the impending Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill," the statement read.

NAGRAT demanded that the government postpone presenting the bill to Parliament to allow for inclusive consultations and ensure all perspectives are considered.

The association also urged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to reject the bill in its current form due to the absence of input from education stakeholders, particularly teacher unions.

They underscored the importance of mutual respect and collaborative decision-making in shaping laws that affect education policy.

The majority in Parliament recently announced plans to introduce the Free SHS Bill, which aims to institutionalise the policy across successive governments.

Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the bill would safeguard the policy from potential reversals by future administrations.

"If we consider it [the Free SHS bill] as a House, what that means is that it becomes mandatory for governments to implement this," he asserted, emphasising the bill's role in ensuring the continuity and enforcement of Free SHS as a legal mandate.

JKB/ ADG