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The ‘New’ Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: Emergent Issues and Challenges of Implementation in Schools

  • Published: 12 July 2021
  • Volume 52 , pages 599–630, ( 2021 )

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essay about free shs in ghana

  • Timothy Chanimbe   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7875-7319 1 &
  • Kwaku Opoku Dankwah 2  

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Free secondary education remains limited in the developing world, where some 80% of 264 million children currently unable to access secondary education across 65 countries associated with the Global Partnership for Education are based. Despite a 2015 commitment by UN member countries to provide free secondary education by 2030, most countries with prior cost-sharing approaches are yet to achieve this goal. Ghana remains one of the few countries with a prior cost-sharing model to have rolled out ‘fully’ free secondary education. We broach Ghana’s implementation of the policy and seek to explore the critically emergent issues and challenges facing public senior high schools. The generalities of our empirical evidence unveil that high enrolment rates culminated in teacher shortages, increased workload for existing teachers, classroom deficits, overcrowding in class, high rate of indiscipline and inadequate teaching/learning materials. Delay in the supply of funds also exacerbated schools' predicaments, shredding the efficacy of the policy in schools. Unbeknownst to existing studies, free feeding and lodging plagued schools with dissimilar glitches over dining and accommodation facilities. Thus, the explicated intricacies and deep-seated nuances in these results substantiate arguments that the diverse and categorization of schools determined the distinctiveness and uneven magnitude of schools' challenges in implementing the policy. From the mundane to the sublime, the free financing model worsens existing challenges and erupts new kinds marked by diverse variables along day/boarding, rural/urban, resourced/less resourced and north/south lines. Using the systems theory, we combined interviews, observation and documentary analysis from six distinct schools to evaluate challenges in the policy’s implementation in schools.

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Chanimbe, T., Dankwah, K.O. The ‘New’ Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: Emergent Issues and Challenges of Implementation in Schools. Interchange 52 , 599–630 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-021-09440-6

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Ministry of Education Ghana

FREE SHS POLICY

As stated in Article 25 1b of the 1992 Constitution, “Secondary education in its different forms including technical and vocational education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by every appropriate means, and in particular, by the progressive introduction of free education.”

Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) states: “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.” It has therefore been a priority of the government and the Ministry of Education to ensure that education is made free from basic to secondary to afford more children in Ghana the opportunity to access quality education. In September 2017, the Ministry achieved a major milestone with the implementation of the Free Senior High School program. That year, there was an 11% increase in enrolment, breaking records from previous years. In the 2017/18 academic year, a new record was set with the highest enrolment ever seen in the country: over 470,000 students enrolled in senior high school.

essay about free shs in ghana

Eligibility

Every Ghanaian child who is placed into a public Second Cycle Institution by the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) during the school placement process is eligible for a free SHS education

FREE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL POLICY: IMPLICATIONS TO EDUCATION ACCESS EQUITY IN GHANA

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Essays on free senior high school policy, household behavior, and environmental tax revenues.

Prince Fosu , Southern Illinois University Carbondale Follow

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Many children in developing countries forgo education due to the direct or opportunity costs of attending school. To help defray the direct costs of secondary schooling, the Ghanaian government launched its free secondary school initiative in 2017, which sought to make tuition and all educational-related expenses free for every Ghanaian child who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The first objective of this study is to examine to what extent the association between household income and school enrollment decreased in strength over time due to Ghana’s 2017 policy reform using the Ghana socio-economic panel survey (GSPS) and difference-in-differences estimation technique. Our results show that household assets (a proxy for income) had a significant and positive association with school enrollment before the policy change; however, household assets have no significant association with enrollment after the policy change, thus suggesting that family resources do not matter for child enrollment after the policy change. Our results also imply that the 2017 policy reform effectively reduced the hurdles facing lower-income families in paying for secondary school education. The second objective of this study is to examine the effects of this government policy on household labor market outcomes in Ghana. Using the Ghana Socio-Economic Panel Survey (GSPS) and the difference-in-differences estimation technique, we found an increase in labor supply and wages for households with SHS kids before the policy change; however, after policy reform, both labor supply and wages of SHS households decreased suggesting that the free SHS policy did eliminates the direct cost of schooling. These results also indicate that the free SHS policy has significant implications for human capital development and household welfare and health since the policy eliminates the direct cost of schooling. The third chapter examines the impact of environmental tax revenues on domestic healthcare expenditures using panel data of 96 developing and developed countries from 2000 to 2018 and the fixed effect estimation technique. We find a positive and statistically significant association between total environmental tax revenue and government health expenditures; however, this finding is primarily driven by low-income countries. In addition, we find a positive effect of all kinds of environmental tax revenues on government health expenditures; however, the largest and strongest effect arises with pollution tax and transport tax respectively. Our empirical results confirm the validity of the double dividend hypothesis, thus suggesting that environmental tax revenues have significant implications for public health expenditures.

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  • DOI: 10.1080/0305764X.2020.1789066
  • Corpus ID: 225443923

An evaluation of the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana

  • A. Mohammed , Ahmed Bawa Kuyini
  • Published 27 July 2020
  • Education, Political Science
  • Cambridge Journal of Education

17 Citations

Anatomy of the “free senior high school” policy in ghana and policy prescriptions.

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The Effectiveness of The Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: A Moral Development Perspective

Responding to access and beyond in fee-free policies: comparative review of progressive free senior high and free senior high school policies in ghana, (de)centralisation in fee-free policymaking process: comparative review of progressive free senior high and free senior high school policies in ghana, resisting change: explaining education policy reforms in ghana, educational assessment in ghana: the influence of historical colonization and political accountability, the co‐governance of basic education: assessing the complementary effects of intergovernmental support, municipal capacity, non‐governmental organization presence and international development assistance, retracted article: agenda to adoption: understanding the mechanisms driving fee-free policy development in sub-saharan africa through policy change frameworks, the role of principal leadership in developing levels of resilience: a private senior secondary school ethnographic study, shema as paradigm (dt. 6:4–9). the bible, education, and the quest for development in contemporary ghana, 83 references, does the policy cycle reflect the policymaking approach in ghana, the problem with teachers: the political settlement and education quality reforms in bangladesh, the challenge of fee-free secondary education and educational access in ghana: a reflection on the past, realities and feasible choices.

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Free education in Ghana: Advantages and disadvantages of free SHS

Free education in Ghana is a government initiative geared towards improving literacy levels in the country. Children from low-income families benefit immensely from this program. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of free SHS in Ghana.

Free SHS education in Ghana

Ghana initiated free and compulsory primary education in 1961. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo launched the compulsory free Senior High School policy on 12th September, 217. Under the new policy , the government covers all fees for students in public senior and vocational high schools, including boarding fees, textbooks, meals, and other charges.

Importance of free education in Ghana

Education can eliminate poverty, famine, diseases, and other African social issues. It stimulates innovation and inventions that can improve people's living standards to a world-class level. Free education in Ghana has more benefits other than bringing financial relief to parents. Below are the benefits of free education in Ghana:

essay about free shs in ghana

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1. Free compulsory education in Ghana has improved literacy levels

The free education policy in Ghana enables people to get primary, junior high school, and senior high school education. SHS prepare students for university and college education. So far, 1.6 million youth have benefitted from the Free SHS policy.

2. Free education promotes the development of employable skills

Most well-paying jobs today require tertiary education. Students get employable skills at senior high school and upgrade themselves in college or university. A gap reduction has formed in university graduates who acquire degrees without secondary school education.

Previously, 70% of high school students desired government jobs by the age of 25, but only 6% could achieve that. Free SHS education has inspired more Ghana students to acquire secondary education before college or university. As a result, Ghana now has many graduates fit for jobs requiring tertiary education, both within and abroad.

essay about free shs in ghana

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3. The initiative has removed the cost barriers to education

Advantages of free SHS

The free SHS education policy in Ghana has cost barriers to education for many people. The GES council shoulders the responsibility of parents and guardians. It provides free tuition, admission fee, textbooks, library fees, science center fees, fees for ICT, examination fees, payment of utility fees, boarding, and meals in secondary schools.

4. Free education has enhanced industrialization

Increased literacy promotes innovation and invention, which eventually leads to industrialization . As a result, Ghana now has more people in the labour force who create new technologies and improve existing ones. Furthermore, more SHS and university graduates now understand how to operate the latest technologies.

5. Free SHS education has promoted entrepreneurship in Ghana

Secondary education in Ghana includes technical and vocational education . Therefore, senior high schools equip learners with global skills, competencies, and knowledge for business careers in the future.

essay about free shs in ghana

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The skills and scientific/technical knowledge students get at senior high schools can help them start businesses before joining universities or colleges. As a result, the entrepreneurial culture among university students in Ghana is solid.

6. Free education in Ghana has led to economic growth

Advantages of free education in Ghana

Secondary school free education in Ghana has improved literacy levels, promoted entrepreneurship, and enhanced industrialization. In the end, these advancements lead to national economic growth .

7. Free education has improved people's living standards

Education has a positive impact on someone's mindset. Learned people are less ignorant about the quality of life they should live. It is through education that society learns how to improve its living standards.

Free education in Ghana molds young people who desire and aspire to overcome poverty cycles in their families. As a result, the youth work hard to build themselves and the nation.

essay about free shs in ghana

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8. Free education has transformed the country’s political scene

Education makes young people politically conscious and encourages them to engage in their nation's political affairs. Senior high school students in Ghana and their families understand political parties' philosophies and manifestos better and make informed voting decisions.

Educated citizens understand how the government generates income. They also expect an open tax collection and expenditure system and demand accountability from the government regarding how it spends the country's revenue.

9. The Double Track System has improved the quality of education

disadvantages of free SHS in Ghana

The Double Track System has two sessions; the Green Track (the first batch of students who attend school for a semester) and the Gold Track (students who attend school when those in the green track session vacate the academic calendar).

The Double Track System has reduced the overwhelming number of high school enrollments and decreased classroom congestion. It has also shortened schooling hours for learners and improved their academic and social progression.

essay about free shs in ghana

Ghanaian students in UK on Ghana govt scholarships allegedly stranded over cash

10. Free education in Ghana promotes equality in society

Children from low-income families get quality free education . As a result, they can compete for job opportunities with those from middle-class and affluent families.

11. Free SHS education has led to infrastructural developments

The government has invested in expanding secondary schools by building more facilities . Schools can now accommodate more learners. The government has built more senior high schools to increase enrolment. SHS enrolment almost doubled from 393,995 in 2007/08 to 787,861 in the 2015/16 academic year.

disadvantages of free education in Ghana

Challenges facing free education in Ghana

The people hope the government will soon find lasting solutions for issues affecting free compulsory education in Ghana. The challenges make those relying on this government initiative worry about their future. Below are some key disadvantages of free SHS:

1. Some schools in Ghana are under-enrolled

The noticeable performance and infrastructural disparities between public & private schools and rural & urban schools make parents picky when selecting schools for their children. As a result, most new public/community secondary schools in Ghana are under-enrolled. The highest percentages of these under-enrolled schools are in Brong Ahafo and the central regions.

essay about free shs in ghana

Netizens react as student of Takoradi Technical Institute builds water-fueled excavator

2. Inadequate professionally qualified teachers

The teaching profession has a poor public image in Ghana due to low pay, inadequate incentives, and other issues. Most parents and children are drawn to other jobs more than teaching. Therefore, attracting good graduates to teach courses at the university and college levels takes time and effort.

3. Low levels of teacher commitment

disadvantages of free SHS

Lack of incentives and poor working conditions translate into low levels of teacher commitment in Ghana. As a result, most students perform below their potential.

4. Inadequate university slots for secondary school graduates

There is stiff competition for university slots in Ghana. Over 60% of university admissions come from less than 20% of secondary schools in the country. In 2019, Ghana had about 400,000 Free SHS beneficiaries and 120,000 university slots.

5. Low female literacy levels in Ghana

Child abuse and poor transition rates from JHS to SHS contribute to a low female literacy rate. Females in Ghana experience poor transition rates from JHS to SHS because more males are allowed to join secondary schools. They also have a high rate of retention and completing SHS education than female students.

essay about free shs in ghana

Independence Day: Akufo-Addo tasks Ghanaians to work harder

6. Uneven distribution of resources for special needs education

Most rural areas in Ghana lack the necessary educational equipment and infrastructure for children with special needs. One reason for this is low financing within the special education subsector. Ghana also generally experiences a high attrition rate of teachers completing special needs training.

7. Lack of effective use of ICT as a teaching and learning tool

Free education in Ghana

There are many challenges facing the integration of ICT into the Ghanaian education system. Most schools in Ghana (both private and public) do not have ICT programs. Meanwhile, those that have implemented ICT programs need more resources like internet connection, computers, computer labs, and even qualified ICT teachers.

8. The financing challenge in Ghana's free education initiative

The New Patriotic Party Government allocated GHC 480 million for free education in Ghana in 2017/2018, but the initiative required more money than the government provided.

essay about free shs in ghana

GES new curriculum for basic schools

Although the government funds the project annually, the initiative keeps struggling financially. As a result, people worry about free compulsory universal basic education in Ghana failing in a few years to come.

Ghana's former trade minister, Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, confirmed that problems in free SHS education are due to poor planning by the government.

Is there free tertiary education in Ghana?

President Akufo-Addo's government plans to introduce a free tertiary education program in Ghana to increase access to education.

Advantages and disadvantages of free SHS

When did free education start in Ghana?

Ghana adopted free and compulsory primary education in 1961 under President Kwame Nkrumah. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology was established in the same year.

Who started free education in Ghana?

President Kwame Nkrumah initiated free primary education in 1961, while President Akufo-Addo established the Free Senior High School policy in 2017.

essay about free shs in ghana

How the government aims at implementing the new school's curriculum

Free secondary education in Ghana has had a significant impact on the people. Most Ghanaians used to end their education at the Junior High School level until the new law was implemented. Today, more people have advanced to the Senior High School level.

READ ALSO: List of category B schools in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Yen.com.gh shared a list of category B schools in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has placed senior schools into seven categories; A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

These categories are essential when moving students moving from Junior High Schools (JHS) into Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS), and Technical/ Vocational Institutes (TVIs).

Source: YEN.com.gh

Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a junior reporter writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from the Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a diploma in ICT. Chris has over two years of experience in content creation and more than ten working in the hospitality industry. He covers lifestyle/entertainment, focusing on biographies, life hacks, gaming and guides. In 2023, Christopher finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach him at [email protected]

Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Yen.com.gh in April 2022. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at [email protected].

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Examining the Challenges of Ghana’s Free Senior High School Policy

essay about free shs in ghana

Ghana’s Free Senior High School policy, implemented in 2017, was a bold initiative aimed at expanding access to education and promoting socio-economic development. While the policy has undoubtedly brought positive changes, it is important to critically examine the challenges and negative effects that have emerged as a result. This article seeks to shed light on some of the concerns surrounding Ghana’s Free Senior High School policy.

  • Strained Resources: One of the major challenges faced by the Free Senior High School policy is the strain it has placed on resources. The sudden increase in enrollment has overwhelmed schools, leading to overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching materials, and inadequate infrastructure. This compromises the quality of education and hampers effective learning.
  • Quality of Education: The rapid expansion of the Free Senior High School policy has resulted in concerns about the quality of education being provided. With limited resources and overcrowded classrooms, teachers may struggle to give individual attention to students, leading to a decline in educational standards. Additionally, some argue that the focus on quantity over quality may undermine the overall educational experience.
  • Funding Constraints: While the aim of providing free education is commendable, sustaining such a policy requires substantial funding. The government’s ability to consistently allocate adequate funds for education remains a challenge. Insufficient funding can result in delayed disbursement of funds to schools, leading to delays in paying teachers’ salaries and procurement of necessary materials.
  • Inequality and Access Disparities: Although the Free Senior High School policy aims to promote equal access, there are concerns about potential disparities between urban and rural areas. Limited infrastructure in remote regions may hinder students’ ability to access quality education, perpetuating existing inequalities in educational opportunities.
  • Impact on Private Schools: The implementation of the Free Senior High School policy has had adverse consequences for private schools. With more students opting for free education, private schools have experienced a decline in enrollment, posing financial challenges and potential job losses for teachers and staff.

Conclusion: While the Free Senior High School policy in Ghana has undoubtedly expanded access to education, it is crucial to recognize and address the challenges it has brought about. Strained resources, concerns over educational quality, funding constraints, access disparities, and the impact on private schools are issues that require attention and strategic solutions. By acknowledging these negative effects and working towards their resolution, Ghana can strive to achieve a more balanced and inclusive education system that benefits all students.

Source: rymcitigh.com

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The Effect of Free Senior High School Policy on the Lives of Parents and Wards in Ghana

Matey, Juabin (2020): The Effect of Free Senior High School Policy on the Lives of Parents and Wards in Ghana. Published in: International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Scope (IRJMS) , Vol. 1, No. Special Issue 2 (28 November 2020): pp. 27-36.


MPRA_paper_104496.pdf
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The free senior high school policy is one of best social and economic intervention policies that openly affect both parents and students of senior high schools. Parents and guardians especially, have been left off the hook of their economic and financial burden. This study therefore looks at the effect of introducing the free senior high school policy on the economic and social lives of parents and students respectively. Data were obtained from three hundred and thirty six (336) participants. A correlational cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Questionnaires were administered onto parents of wards in three senior high schools in the North East and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The study finds the introduction of the free senior high school policy as a relief to the financial burden of parents, especially guardians from rural and peri-rural settlements. Not just that, a few other public members who are fortunate, can now keep body and soul together through employment creation. Challengingly enough, there was a lack of adequate stakeholder consultation, hence saddled with implementation shortfalls. Delay in the disbursement of funds for feeding and learning materials presented yet another problem. It is important that governments find sustainable sources of funding the educational system and also ensure the double-track system is regularised into a single-track by expanding academic facilities and employing additional skilled and unskilled labour.

Item Type: MPRA Paper
Original Title: The Effect of Free Senior High School Policy on the Lives of Parents and Wards in Ghana
English Title: The Effect of Free Senior High School Policy On The Lives Of Parents And Wards In Ghana
Language: English
Keywords: Free Senior High School Education, Operationalisation, Policy, Parents
Subjects: >
> >
> >
Item ID: 104496
Depositing User:
Date Deposited: 04 Dec 2020 03:10
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2020 03:10
References:

REFERENCES

(1) Alchian A.A. The economic and social impact of free tuition, Liberty Press,Indianapolis. 1977.

(2) Mensah D.K.D. Teachers’ perspective on implementation of the double track senior high school system in Ghana, International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Science. 2019; 5 (2), 47-56, 2019, DOI: 10.20448/2001.52.47.56.

(3) Botchway J. Education: Disadvantages of the double track system. 2019.https://newsghana24.com/education- disadvantages-of-the-doubletrack-system/

(4) Nsiah D. Free education in Ghana: Advantages and disadvantages. 18th November,2019;.accessed from https://yen.com.gh/108674-freeeducation-ghana- advantages-disadvantages.html

(5) Okrah B.D. Financial benefits of free SHS policy to parents and economy. 4 October 2017. https://yen.com.g /108674-free-education-ghana advantages disadvantages.html

(6) Adomonline.com. Double tracking system; a recipe for social crises - Dr Yielpieri.Thursday, 26 July 2018 https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive /Double tracking-system-a-recipe-for-social-crises-Dr- Yielpieri-672125

(7) Adu-Gyamfi S, Donkoh W.J, Addo A.A. Educational reforms in Ghana: Past and present. Journal of Education and Human Development.2016; 5(3), 158-172.

(8) Asumadu E. Challenges and prospects of the Ghana free senior high school policy: The case of SHS in Denkyembour District, University of Ghana. 2019.

(9) UNESCO Global Monitoring Report: The Role of the Organization and Social Context of Schools. 2005. http://portal.org/education.

(10) Psacharopoulos G. Time trends of the returns to education: Cross national evidence. Economics of Education Review. 1989; 8(3), 225-231.

(11)Gold KM.Schools in: The history of summer education in American public schools. New York: Peter Lang. 2002.

(12) Ayamga E. Double track system has caused 1,433 teenage Pregnancies Minority. 2019.

(13) Fraenkel J.R., Wallen NE. How to design and evaluate research in education, 2003. (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.

(14) Bushman B.J, Huesmann L.R. Effects of televised violence on aggression. 2001. In D.Singer & J. Singer (Eds.),Handbook of children and the media, 223–254, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

(15) Saunders M, Lewis P, Thornhill A, Research methods for business students. 2012.6th ed. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited

(16) Mugenda O.M, Mugenda AG. Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative Approaches, 2003. Acts Press, Nairobi- Kenya.

(17) Cronbach L J. Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests.1951; 16(3), 297-334, Psychometrika.

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The Impact of Free Senior High School (FSHS) on Rural Areas in Ghana

Profile image of Gideon K Animah

2018, Dissertation

The actual purpose of this research investigate on how the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy has been implemented in rural areas of Ghana and the extent to which the problem of over – congestion is affecting this policy. Rural areas are often faced with challenges that serve as a barrier to effective policies implemented by the government. These barriers have the potential to hinder The FSHS policy from meeting its intended purposes and positivism in the rural areas of Ghana. Literature on access to education, World Bank report on education 2018, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report on education, Education in Ghana and Challenges of Education in Ghana is reviewed. The positive and negative impacts of education universally is also reviewed. Finally, the literature review investigates the connection between school quality, supply of teachers, challenges of students of teachers, resource impact on schooling and free school analysis within the FSHS Policy. The literature suggests that whilst making education free has the potential to increase the level of literacy, it also has the potential to create economic and social development. The important role of extending free education to rural areas is also highlighted. Primary data was collected in by interviewing officials at Ghana Education Service (GES), students, teachers, educationalists, head teachers and bureaucrats engaged in the educational sector in western region, Ghana. Limitations to education that were identified in the literature review were investigated in the field research. Whereas there is a probability for these limitations to generate unexpected tensions, they do not appear to affect the feasibility of this policy in a negative way. Adding to this, whilst some sensitive issues because of over – congestion in the FSHS policy were identified, a common idea and assumptions helped in creating mutual respect and tolerance. The aim of this study was to analyse the context and purpose of the reforms. By analysing what has been enacted so far and its future intentions. I intended to make predictions as to the limitations of the policy, and where possible to make recommendations. relevant and useful source for concerned citizens wishing to have an in The research could be a depth insig ht and knowled on the how the FSHS p olicy is implemented in the rural areas of Ghana.

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Alexander Edwards

essay about free shs in ghana

International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies [IJELS]

Governments all over the world have been improving their educational sector through funding programs aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents, increasing access and quality to education. The government of Ghana in 2017 switched policy to a free senior high school policy to reduce poverty by finally eliminating the financial burdens parents face in paying their children's fees. This study seeks to evaluate the appropriateness of the free senior high policy in replacing the pre-existing progressive free policy. The questionnaire survey was used to collect primary data for this study. The descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data of this study. A total number of Two hundred (200) responses were retrieved, and out of those retrieved, 57 were females, and 143 were males. All 200 responses were usable in this study. The free senior high policy proved to put more butts on seats in helping to reduce financial burdens on parents than the pre-existing progressive free policy since nothing is paid by parents or guardians.

Justice Y . Mensah

This study explored the effect of ICT integration in teaching Mathematics on students’ motivation and achievement in endowed and less endowed Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Gomoa West district of the central region. The study employed the embedded mixed method approach involving quasi-experimental design in which three SHSs (one endowed and two less endowed) were purposively selected and assigned as control and experimental groups. A sample of 120 students and 4 Mathematics teachers from the three schools were randomly selected for the study. Geometry Achievement Tests (GAT) was administered to all student participants as pre-test and after the intervention a similar GAT was administered to students again as post-test. During treatment, ICT was integrated into the lessons of the experimental groups while the traditional instruction was applied to the control group. Six students from the experimental group and 4 mathematics teachers were interviewed to elicit their views on how ICT integration motivate students to study mathematics. Results from paired sample t-test showed that participants in both groups (experimental and control) had increment in their post-GAT as compared to the pre-GAT. However, independent samples t-test results revealed that students in the experimental group achieved better in the post-GAT as compared to those in the control group. Findings also revealed that students from the endowed school outperformed those from the less endowed school. Finally interview results revealed that ICT integration promotes students’ motivation by; making the lesson student-centered and practical, promoting retention through its visual presentation and increases students’ study time allotted to mathematics. In conclusion, ICT integration approach to teaching and learning of mathematics concepts was found to promote students’ motivation and increased achievement in mathematics than the traditional instruction.

IBRAHIM MOHAMMED GUNU

In this article, school disciplinary exclusions in high schools in Ghana are highlighted to explore alternatives to school exclusions. The 2017 budget and the preceding budgets of the Republic of Ghana clearly indicate that the bulk of the nation’s expenditure is spent on education. Part of the 2017 budget is especially targeted at making the senior high school (SHS) education free in Ghana beginning 2017-2018 academic year. Needy students have been the thrust of this investment to widen the broader spectrum of academic opportunities in Ghana. This government initiative has the potential to enhance access to secondary education in Ghana. In the education policy context, this kind of investment is expected to yield enhanced academic outputs beyond the exam results. In the estimation of this article, these outputs include creating an enlightened society, equipping Ghanaian students with appropriate value judgment, providing equitable access to education, and developing a sense of creativity through educational activities. However, the rampant student exclusions in Ghanaian high schools put the academic career of these students into jeopardy. It is in the light of this that this article provides a focused discussion on the contextual understanding and alternatives to school disciplinary exclusion in Ghana.

Journal of Applied Research on Children Informing Policy For Children at Risk

andrea martinez , Gen Proulx

Manna Alfred

Nana Afia Opoku-Asare

Rural-urban disparity in economic and social development in Ghana has led to disparities in educational resources and variations in students ’ achievement in different parts of the country. Nonetheless, Senior High Schools (SHSs) in rural and urban schools follow the same curriculum, and their students write the same West Africa Senior Secondary School Examination ( WASSCE) , which qualifies them to access higher education in Ghana’s public universities. Urban SHSS are also recognized nationwide as good schools where students make it to the university. Moreover, performance patterns with regards to admission of SHS graduates into university also vary between rural and urban schools; consequently, some parents do everything to get their children in urban SHSs, even consenting to placement in Visual Arts, a program deemed appropriate only for academically weak students. This study therefore adopted the qualitative-quantitative research approach with interview, observation and questionnaire administration to investigate the critical factors that affect academic performance of SHS students, particularly those in Visual Arts as case study. Findings from six public SHSs in Kumasi-two each in rural, peri-urban and urban areas-revealed that urban schools perform better than rural and peri-urban schools because they attract and admit Junior High School graduates with excellent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) grades, have better infrastructure, more qualified teachers, prestigious names, and character that motivate their students to do well. This suggests that bridging the rural-urban gap in educational resources could promote quality teaching and learning, and thereby raise academic achievement for SHS students in Ghana.

International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension

Hudu Zakaria

The paper presents findings of empirical investigation into the challenges of deploying project method of teaching agricultural among agricultural science students of Awe Senior High School in the Navrongo Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Action Research methodology was employed in which students were assigned a project of raising tomatoes seedlings. Through simple random sampling, 100 students were sampled and randomly assigned a project of raising tomato seedlings in a group of five or individually. Observations, personal interviews, focus group discussion and key informant interviews were employed in gathering data for the study. Discourse analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analysing the data gathered. Kendell's coefficient of concordance was applied in analysing level of agreement among students' ranks of constraints in undertaking agricultural projects. The constraints/challenges to undertaking project method of teaching were identified as inadequate tools/equipment, large class size and grouping problem, short periods allocated to practical, poor skilled farm labourer, difficult and time consuming and high cost of materials, in decreasing order of severity. It is recommended that the school authority and Ghana Education Service (GES) should endeavour to provide adequate teaching and learning materials to schools to ensure effective application of project method of teaching for effective teaching and learning of agricultural practical.

Brandford Bervell

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CSSPS 2023 SCHOOL SELECTION FORM

2023 bece candidates school's selection video, removal of cost barriers.

The free SHS Policy Removes Cost Barriers through the absorption of fees approved by GES council

Quality and Equity

Improve quality through provision of core textbooks and supplementary readers, teacher rationalization and deployment, etc.

Infrastructure Expansion

Expand physical school infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the expected increase in enrollment.

Every child in Ghana who qualifies for, and is placed in a public Senior High School for his secondary education will have his/her fees absorbed by the government.

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Education minister, policy statistics.

Everything you need to know about the Free SHS policy

92% STUDENT PLACEMENT

The free SHS policy aims to take out the element of cost as a...

424,092+ STUDENT QUALIFIED

Every Ghanaian child who is placed into a Public Second Cycle...

267,322 INSTANT PLACEMENT

SHS enrolment has almost doubled from 393,995 in 2007/08...

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[OPINION] Akufo-Addo deserves a statue in his honour for Free SHS

Citi Newsroom

In 2008, a bold promise was made on the campaign trail in Ghana – to revolutionise the country’s education system by introducing free senior high school (SHS) education.

Despite the skeptics and naysayers, this visionary leader remained steadfast in his commitment, driven by an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education implemented this policy in right after winning the 2016 presidential elections in Ghana.

Today, the results are undeniable. Thousands of students from all sixteen regions of Ghana have benefitted from this groundbreaking initiative, shattering the barriers of access and inequality that once denied them the opportunity to reach their full potential.

This is not just a testament to the leader’s unwavering dedication but also a resounding indictment of those who doubted their resolve.

The expansion of this programme to all sixteen regions of Ghana is a masterclass in leadership, demonstrating an unshakeable commitment to the values of equity, inclusivity, and social justice.

By putting education at the forefront of the national agenda, Akufo-Addo has not only improved lives but also empowered a generation to drive Ghana’s future growth and development.

As we reflect on this remarkable achievement, it is clear that this legacy extends far beyond his tenure in office. They have redefined the boundaries of political leadership, showing that vision, courage, and perseverance can overcome even the most entrenched obstacles.

In recognition of this extraordinary contribution to Ghana’s development, I firmly believe that Akufo-Addo deserves a statue in his honour, symbolising the nation’s gratitude for their unwavering commitment to education and the empowerment of its citizens.

This legacy serves as a powerful reminder that leadership matters and that the courage to challenge the status quo can transform a nation.

As we enter election 2024 it is my utmost desire for Ghanaians to weigh the options and decide Ghana’s future with free SHS as a focus in this election.

Daniel Obeng Acquah Lecturer, University of Media Arts and Communication -Institute of Journalism

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Free tablets for SHS students: Ashanti Region schools receive devices

Free tablets for SHS students: Ashanti Region schools receive devices

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has begun distributing free tablets to Senior High School (SHS) students, fulfilling its pledge to enhance digital learning.

Schools in the Ashanti Region are among the first to benefit from this initiative.

Prempeh College received 4,628 tablets, while Yaa Asantewaa Girls SHS got 4,454 tablets.

Very Reverend Luois Asare, Headmaster of Prempeh College, confirmed receipt of the devices to this reporter on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

He praised government for the initiative, saying it will significantly improve teaching and learning.

He noted that the tablets are ready to be distributed to students, providing them with access to educational resources and bridging the digital divide in Ghana's education sector.

This initiative is a significant step towards achieving the government's goal of creating a more digitalized and inclusive education system in Ghana.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Education in Charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Professor Kingsley Nyarko, inspected the devices and expressed his enthusiasm.

He noted that the tablets would help boost students' knowledge in the digital space and hailed the NPP government for its commitment to education.

Professor Nyarko urged the students to take full advantage of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of embracing technology to enhance their learning experience.

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IMAGES

  1. Ghana’s Free SHS policy in focus as students, teachers recount

    essay about free shs in ghana

  2. Free SHS in Ghana

    essay about free shs in ghana

  3. The Free SHS Policy: A Perfect Initiative To Transform Ghana

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  4. The Price Of Free: A Case Of Ghana’s Free SHS Educational System

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  5. (PDF) FREE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL POLICY: IMPLICATIONS TO EDUCATION ACCESS

    essay about free shs in ghana

  6. An assessment of Free SHS policy in Ghana

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COMMENTS

  1. Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: Implementation and Outcomes against Policy Purposes

    The 'pro-poor' free senior high school (SHS) policy has become a major rights-based social-democratic initiative in Ghana. The policy attracts major criticisms and praises from academics and citizens. This paper broaches the policy's

  2. GHANA'S FREE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL POLICY: EVIDENCE AND ...

    This intervention is christened the "Free Senior High School" to provide universal access. to Ghana's young adults. 1.1 Features of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) The following are the ...

  3. (PDF) Anatomy of the "Free Senior High School" Policy in Ghana and

    The 'pro-poor' free senior high school (SHS) policy has become a major rights-based social-democratic initiative in Ghana. The policy attracts major criticisms and praises from academics and citizens. This paper broaches the policy's outcomes and implementation inputs to its purposes in real-time.

  4. The 'New' Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana ...

    In what follows, we first review the literature on implementing challenges of the free secondary education policy from developing countries and proceed to engage the literature on Ghana's new free senior high school policy.

  5. An evaluation of the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana

    Based on 65 interviews and secondary information, this study evaluated the programme, process and political dimensions of the Ghana Free Senior High School Education (SHS) Policy. The evidence from...

  6. Free Senior High School

    The Free Senior High School (Free SHS) education policy in Ghana was a government initiative introduced in the 2017 September Presidential administration of Nana Akufo-Addo. [ 1] The policy's origination began as part of the President's presidential campaign during Ghana's 2016 election period, and has become an essential part of Ghana's ...

  7. EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF THE FREE SHS POLICY; CHALLENGES ...

    The Free SHS Policy's goals include removing financial barrier s to education, enabling universal access to secondary education, expanding a high -quality, equitable

  8. Free SHS Policy

    FREE SHS POLICY As stated in Article 25 1b of the 1992 Constitution, "Secondary education in its different forms including technical and vocational education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by every appropriate means, and in particular, by the progressive introduction of free education."Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

  9. FREE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL POLICY: IMPLICATIONS TO ...

    In the year 2017, the government of Ghana implemented a free SHS policy on a free access to secondary education for all.

  10. PDF The Effectiveness of the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: A

    ho worry about Ghana's future as a country and the future of its throngs of youthful inhabitants. Students receiving free education are increasingly exploiting social media records to commit immorality and offend authorities with obscene and indecent words.2 In this era of FEP, truancy, thuggery, disobedience, smoking, armed robbery, violent ...

  11. Teachers' Perception on the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: A

    The findings seemed to indicate that teachers within the municipal area studied; did not have adequate knowledge on the Free SHS policy before its implementation. Second, about 95% of the respondents agreed to strongly agreed that the rolling out of the Free SHS was a relevant intervention by the Ghana Government.

  12. Essays on Free Senior High School Policy, Household Behavior, and

    The second objective of this study is to examine the effects of this government policy on household labor market outcomes in Ghana. Using the Ghana Socio-Economic Panel Survey (GSPS) and the difference-in-differences estimation technique, we found an increase in labor supply and wages for households with SHS kids before the policy change ...

  13. An evaluation of the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana

    ABSTRACT Based on 65 interviews and secondary information, this study evaluated the programme, process and political dimensions of the Ghana Free Senior High School Education (SHS) Policy. The evidence from the data showed that the programme and its political dimensions were emphasised to the neglect of the process dimension. Effectiveness, one of the criteria in the programme dimension, was ...

  14. (PDF) The Effect of Free Senior High School Policy on the Lives of

    Therefore, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, Ghana government has taken the initiative to make Senior High School (SHS) education free to all Ghanaians. However, many people including high academic figures, educationalists, researchers and some institutions have contested free secondary education in Ghana.

  15. Free education in Ghana: Advantages and disadvantages of free SHS

    Free education in Ghana is a government initiative geared towards improving literacy levels in the country. Children from low-income families benefit immensely from this program. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of free SHS in Ghana.

  16. Examining the Challenges of Ghana's Free Senior High School Policy

    Ghana's Free Senior High School policy, implemented in 2017, was a bold initiative aimed at expanding access to education and promoting socio-economic development.

  17. The Effect of Free Senior High School Policy on the Lives of ...

    Questionnaires were administered onto parents of wards in three senior high schools in the North East and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The study finds the introduction of the free senior high school policy as a relief to the financial burden of parents, especially guardians from rural and peri-rural settlements.

  18. Challenges and Prospects of the Ghana Free Senior High School (SHS

    This research was undertaken to examine the prospects and challenges hindering the implementation of "Free Senior High School Policy (FSHSP)" in the Denkyembour District in Ghana. The main rationale for this study comes about as an intervention by the government of Ghana in 2016 to increase enrolment of students in secondary school to ensure "equal access to secondary education" by all ...

  19. PDF Teachers' Perception on the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana: A

    Ghana is the only country in West Africasub-region that has implemented a Free Senior High School education. Prior to the introduction of the Free SHS policy in 2017, the previous government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) rolled out the Progressively Free Secondary Education Programmeafter a launch at EkumfiOtuam.

  20. The Impact of Free Senior High School (FSHS) on Rural Areas in Ghana

    Part of the 2017 budget is especially targeted at making the senior high school (SHS) education free in Ghana beginning 2017-2018 academic year. Needy students have been the thrust of this investment to widen the broader spectrum of academic opportunities in Ghana.

  21. Free SHS Secretariat

    FREE SHS. Every child in Ghana who qualifies for, and is placed in a public Senior High School for his secondary education will have his/her fees absorbed by the government.

  22. [OPINION] Akufo-Addo deserves a statue in his honour for Free SHS

    As we enter election 2024 it is my utmost desire for Ghanaians to weigh the options and decide Ghana's future with free SHS as a focus in this election. Daniel Obeng Acquah Lecturer, University of Media Arts and Communication -Institute of Journalism. Share Tweet Send Send.

  23. This is how parents and guardians can be involved in 2024 free SHS

    The exercise, which started on August 28, will end on September 4, 2024. In a statement signed by the acting Director of the Schools and Instruction Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES ...

  24. Abolish free 'pasco' for SHS students, use funds to motivate teachers

    Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a Corporate Governance Lecturer at Central University, has urged presidential candidates to prioritise meaningful education reforms, including abolishing the distribution of free past questions, commonly known as "pasco," to SHS students. He argues that the funds ...

  25. Free tablets for SHS students: Ashanti Region schools ...

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has begun distributing free tablets to Senior High School (SHS) students, fulfilling its pledge to enhance digital learning. Schools in the Ashanti Region are among the first to benefit from this initiative. Prempeh College received 4,628 tablets, while Yaa Asantewaa Girls SHS got 4,454 tablets.