Not too late for national dialogue on Free SHS – Mahama
Former President John Mahama has urged the government to hold a national consultation between stakeholders which will forge a consensus on a sustainable framework for its flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
Weighing in on the debate over the implementation of the policy following the announcement of a double intake system for new entrants, Mr Mahama said introducing the shift system as an emergency measure will not be beneficial.
Mr Mahama, in a tweet, said: “Introducing the shift system does not help to continue to implement this all-important free SHS programme on an ad hoc basis.”
He noted that: “It’s not too late to hold a comprehensive national consultation to forge a consensus on a sustainable framework for its implementation.”
The government has explained that the double-intake system is meant to cater for a 31% increase in the population of new students entering senior high school, that is 472,000 new entrants, which still leaves a deficit of some 183,000.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has urged all Ghanaians to support the implementation of the new system.
“I am sure that in two or three years, the comments made by the representatives of the teachers about the quality of examination passes will be a thing of the past,” Akufo-Addo said at a durbar of chiefs and people of Wa today.
“So, I want you to support this dual-intake system as being a very efficient way of dealing with this large class thing,” the President added.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
