Dr. Sam Ankrah, an independent presidential candidate, emphasized the necessity of reassessing the Free SHS policy, promising that his administration would undertake this if elected.
During an interview with the media on July 22, 2024, Dr. Ankrah expressed concerns regarding the policy’s impact on educational standards.
“Visiting schools like Opoku Ware School, Prempeh College, and Mfantsipim School reveals that despite a significant increase in student numbers—sometimes five or six times the original capacity—facilities have not been expanded,” he noted.
Dr. Ankrah also pointed out the alarming rise in the teacher-student ratio, resulting in overcrowded classrooms where students are strangers to each other. “There is a lack of cooperation, coordination, and infrastructure development,” he emphasized.
To tackle these challenges, Dr. Ankrah proposed granting autonomy to high-performing schools. “School boards, composed of representatives from the schools, religious bodies, parents, and other stakeholders, should be empowered to oversee these institutions. This approach will allow them to function effectively and set benchmarks for other schools,” he explained.
Additionally, Dr. Ankrah recommended reducing centralized control by the Ghana Education Service (GES). He advocated for empowering school boards to make decisions, with the government focusing on ensuring equitable access to quality education.
“Not all education is free,” he observed. “Therefore, we should establish day schools within a 10-kilometer radius of every home to ensure students can access education in their communities.”
