EDUCATION

Ghanaians ‘roast’ Mahama over calls to include private schools in Free SHS program

John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, has faced significant criticism for his proposal to include private schools in the Free SHS initiative.

During an engagement with the clergy at the Great Hall of KNUST on November 11, 2024, Mahama questioned why the government had excluded private schools from the Free SHS programme.

According to him, many parents have moved their children from private to public schools to take advantage of the Free SHS initiative, a shift he argued has led to overcrowding in some schools due to the high demand.

“When government started the Free SHS, they excluded the private schools. In Nzema, for example, there was a private school with many students, but after the Free SHS initiative began, parents withdrew their children and enrolled them in government schools. As a result, the government schools are now overcrowded.

“I suggested that private schools be included in the Free SHS programme to help accommodate more students and ease the burden of overcrowding in public schools,” Mahama said.

However, his proposal has met strong opposition from some Ghanaians who argue that the current system has drained the state’s coffers and strained the economy.

Critics have raised concerns about how the government would fund the initiative if private schools, known for charging high fees, are included.

Others also questioned Mahama’s credibility over his sudden reversal on the policy, noting that he had previously called for its review and suggested that parents who can afford to pay their children’s fees should be allowed to do so.

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Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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