President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has responded to growing calls for a review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, particularly from those advocating for a more targeted approach. During his address at the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in Kumasi, the President suggested that well-to-do families who can afford private school fees should enroll their children in fee-paying private institutions instead of placing additional strain on the public education system.
The call for a review of the Free SHS policy was initially raised by GBA President Yaw Acheampong Boafo, who proposed that affluent families should contribute fees, thereby freeing up resources for more underprivileged students. The Free SHS policy has been a key initiative of the Akufo-Addo administration but has faced criticism due to the financial burden it places on the national budget.
In defense of the policy, President Akufo-Addo stressed that public schools, which are funded by taxpayers, must remain accessible to all, especially to those who cannot afford secondary education.
“Public schools that are funded by the taxpayer should be free to all who will otherwise be unable to pay for their education. People who can afford to pay fees for the education of their wards should send them to fee-paying private schools,” the President stated.
He further highlighted the significant impact of the Free SHS policy, noting that since its inception, more than 5.7 million students have benefitted, resulting in a doubling of secondary school enrollment.
“The long-term effects of this policy will outweigh any immediate concerns raised by a small number of privileged parents,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The Free SHS policy remains a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to expanding access to education, despite ongoing debates about its sustainability and financial implications.
