Child Rights International, a prominent advocacy group focused on safeguarding children’s rights, has called for an immediate halt to unilateral modifications of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
This follows growing calls by some headmasters and the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) for parents to provide food and provisions for their wards as schools reopen.
The advocacy group insists that such calls undermine the foundational principles of the Free SHS policy, which was introduced to ensure equitable access to secondary education.
Concerns over policy integrity
In a statement issued yesterday, Child Rights International stressed that the Free SHS programme was designed to eliminate financial barriers to secondary education and promote inclusivity. Any attempts to shift responsibilities, such as feeding, to parents would erode the policy’s intent and exacerbate existing inequalities.
“These requests undermine the core principles of the policy,” the statement noted, emphasizing that the programme’s integrity must be upheld.
Challenges require stakeholder engagement
The group called for broader stakeholder engagement to address challenges facing the Free SHS programme.
According to the statement, any difficulties should be addressed through collaborative dialogue with the government to ensure adequate resources are provided.
Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of Child Rights International, highlighted the adverse impact of shifting responsibilities to parents, particularly given the economic hardships many families face.
“Shifting these responsibilities to parents not only deviates from the policy’s framework but also places undue pressure on families, many of whom are already facing economic hardship,” Appiah stated.
Policy Remains Unchanged
The statement also reminded the public that, as of now, there has been no official directive requiring parental contributions to the Free SHS programme.
Child Rights International stressed that any amendments to the policy must come through formal government review and communication.
“Protecting a social policy is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders and beneficiaries,” the statement concluded, urging adherence to the current framework of the Free SHS policy until formal changes are made.
A Call to Protect Equity in Education
Child Rights International’s intervention underscores the importance of safeguarding the principles of equity and inclusivity that underpin the Free SHS programme.
As debates over its implementation continue, the organization’s call for collaborative dialogue serves as a reminder of the need to prioritize the welfare of students and uphold the policy’s goals.
The Free SHS programme remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s education system, and its success depends on the collective commitment of all stakeholders to address challenges without compromising its objectives.
By SELORM GBORBIDZI, Accra
