Dr. Matthew Opoku, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) running mate, has defended the success of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, emphasizing its positive impact on both access to education and quality.
Speaking at the University of Memphis in the United States of America, he countered claims that the policy has compromised educational standards, insisting that it has instead improved student outcomes and ensured greater educational equity.
Dr. Prempeh, widely known as NAPO, served as Minister of Education during the introduction of the Free SHS policy in 2017. He highlighted that the programme had been instrumental in expanding access to secondary education for many underprivileged students, eliminating the financial barriers that previously hindered many families from sending their children to school.
He further noted that the policy has resulted in significant improvements in student performance.
According to Dr. Prempeh, between 2015 and 2023, students’ results in core subjects have markedly improved, with over 60% of candidates in the 2022 and 2023 cohorts achieving grades A1 to C6 in all core subjects, qualifying them for tertiary education.
In addition, Dr. Prempeh refuted criticisms that the Free SHS policy compromised quality, pointing out that the 2023 results were among the best in the past nine years.
He argued that this data clearly challenges claims that the initiative lowered educational standards.
Another key aspect of the policy he emphasized was the 30% equity component, which reserves 30% of spots in top schools for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who attended public basic schools.
Dr. Prempeh underscored that this measure has provided many such students with the opportunity to excel in elite schools, thereby promoting equal opportunities for all children.
Moreover, Dr. Prempeh noted that the gender disparity in school enrollment had been addressed, achieving gender parity across the nation, which reflects the country’s population dynamics.
Overall, Dr. Prempeh praised the Free SHS policy as a crucial investment in Ghana’s future, stating that it is helping to build a well-educated and skilled workforce essential for national development.
