KEY POINTS
- The Chief of New Edubiase has expressed firm support for Ghana’s Free SHS program.
- He believes any leader who opposes the initiative does not have the interests of the people at heart.
- Free SHS has been pivotal in expanding access to education, and its continuation is critical for national development.
The Chief of New Edubiase has categorically stated that he cannot campaign for any political leader who does not support Ghana’s Free SHS programme. When passionately defending the Free SHS, the chief said that it was to make young people knowledgeable in Ghana; and give opportunities to the deserving needy students.
The Free SHS was launched by the government in 2017 and seeks to provide free secondary education to all the students in Ghana relieving many families of a huge cost and expanding the opportunity to quality education. , but opponents of the scheme, including some politicians, have argued that it is costly to fund.
The Chief of New Edubiase, however, has a very strong belief that any leader who is against this important educational policy can never have the welfare of the people in mind.
Standing by free SHS
Speaking at the event, the chief, touched on how Free SHS has provided opportunities for thousands of Ghanaian students who would not be able to further their education because of financial difficulties. He defended education as the foundation of any nation and stressed that any policy that guarantees its availability should be backed up to the hilt.
The Chief further said his people will not support any political leader who seeks to abolish or underfund the Free SHS programme.
The Free SHS policy according to the chief is not only a policy but a foundation of Ghana’s future. He says that the program is a way of investing in the future of the country through the young people who are the future generation.
Thus, the program helps to foster a society that is equally bearing to all and which will allow even poor economic families, children to attend secondary school.
He said: ‘We cannot allow anyone to be supported who does not believe in the future of our children.’ I said free SHS is for the people and any leader who is not supporting this is not for the people, the chief said.
The debate on free SHS
This Free SHS policy has elicited a lot of support from most of the people of Ghana, Although it has been associated with some controversy.
The critics of the policy state that it is too expensive for the government and money may be channelled to something more productive. They also expressed worry on the quality of education produced since schools have been congested and poorly endowed since the policy’s inception.
However, the chief dismissed all these concerns saying that the program has more benefits than challenges that are associated with it. He pointed out that education is a basic right and that any government should make it its business to ensure every child has access to secondary education.
The chief also urged political leaders to stop disassembling the program and to make it better by making changes to resource concerns and infrastructures.
The future of free SHS
Finally, the chief also urged future leaders to support the Free SHS program and to strive for it to expand in the future. He urged Ghanaians to judge political candidates based on Free SHS arguing that the stand of any candidate on the issue would show whether or not he or she has the welfare of the country at heart.
As noted by GhanaWeb, the chief’s statements are shared by most Ghanaians who believe that Free SHS is a socioeconomic ladder. The general effect of this policy has seen many a child chase his or her dreams by receiving free education and the policy has seen the enrollment of schools increase all over the country.
Nevertheless, there are some problems still to be solved, for example, overcrowded classes and a lack of textbooks and other educational facilities, the chief stressed that the problem should be solved by reinforcing the program, not by cancelling it. He called on all Ghanaians to fight for changes that will make Free SHS better for generations to come.
Therefore, the Chief of New Edubiase’s passionate appeal for Free SHS carries a message to political leaders. As Ghana is still in the process of searching for answers regarding its education system it is clear that the program remains an issue of concern for the voters especially those who have experienced the program. To the chief and his people, it is impossible to support a leader who does not support Free SHS.
