Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has criticised the way government’s free SHS policy is being implemented.
Like many Ghanaians, Mr. Gbande says he can afford to cater for his children’s education, due to his status, the reason he wouldn’t opt for it.
He contends that parents who possess the capacity to finance their wards’ education ahould be given the opportunity to do so, in order to lessen the financial burden on the government.
Gbande highlighted the inequality in the free education initiative, questioning why individuals of differing financial capabilities should receive the same benefits. He argued that such an approach lacks equity, proportionality, and sustainability.
“I said that for example, me, I wouldn’t want my child to go to school for free because I can afford it. So for the NDC, we agree that for citizens who can pay for their children’s school fees, let them go ahead and pay.
“There is inequality in the policy, why should I, for example, a Member of Parliament who can be capable of paying my child’s fee and my fellow Ghanaian who lives in a village somewhere without money. Why should we both have our children going to school for free? When we do that it’s not equitable, it’s not proportionate, it’s not sustainable,” he argued out.
He further clarified that the NDC intends not to cancel the Free SHS project but to conduct a quality assurance review to ensure the policy is executed sustainably.
The NDC Deputy Secretary pointed out issues with the quality of the programme’s components, particularly the feeding system, and highlighted concerns regarding its financial sustainability.
He told hosts Nana Yaa Brefo and JB that “when you look at the feeding component of the free SHS, the quality is a problem, there is a great debt in the buffer stock, its not sustainable.
“Even parents want to support, parents are calling for a review how much more government. The free SHS bill is so high,” he critiqued.
He criticised the implementation of the Free SHS programme by the NPP, calling it appalling. He asserted that the NDC would review the initiative if they come into power, aiming to address its deficiencies through engagement with major stakeholders.
‘The free SHS is becoming more expensive than we thought’ – National Council of PTA
By Lois Dogbe|Onua FM
