Education

CHASS calls for dedicated funding for Free SHS Policy

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has issued a clarion call for dedicated funding to support the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. This appeal was made at the end of CHASS’ 62nd Annual National Conference held at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Northern Region.

According to CHASS President, Rev. Father Stephen Owusu Sekyere, the lack of adequate funding is jeopardizing the learning environment for students and hindering their academic success. “Every region is complaining about some food items,” he noted, highlighting the dire need for urgent intervention.

The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, aims to make secondary education accessible to all Ghanaian children. It has led to an 11% increase in enrollment, with over 470,000 students enrolling in senior high school in the 2017/18 academic year. However, the increased demand has put pressure on existing infrastructure, necessitating the need for dedicated funding.

CHASS emphasizes that the government must prioritize teacher recruitment, training, and retention, as well as invest in infrastructure development. “The government must treat education as a national emergency,” stressed Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Mensah, CHASS President.

Rev. Sekyere further stated that CHASS is demanding dedicated funding to address the challenges facing the education sector. He listed key areas requiring urgent attention, including allocation of sufficient funds, infrastructure development, teacher recruitment and training, and provision of core textbooks and educational materials.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the challenges facing the education sector and has initiated reforms to transform teaching and learning. These efforts include the Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018-2030) and the Ghana Education Reform.

“The education sector is at a crossroads, and we need collective action to address these challenges,” said Angela Aku Akorsa, a participant.

“The government must prioritize education to ensure a brighter future for our children,” added Rev. Sekyere.