An educationist, Nii Armah Addy, has criticized the proposed Free Senior High School (FSHS) bill, calling it a political maneuver rather than a genuine educational reform.
He argued that the bill, drafted by the Ministry of Education and the ruling government, is aimed at gaining political advantage rather than addressing educational needs.
Speaking on A1 Radio in Bolgatanga, Mr. Addy asserted that no current or future government would consider cancelling the FSHS program.
“The conversation has always been about improving FSHS, not cancelling it,” he stated.
He emphasized that the push for progressive education is already enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
“I have said several times, and I will maintain, that the posture of this government towards our educational system is nothing but political mathematics. They only want to score cheap political points. So, the delusion that they will have to put it into legislation so that no government can cancel it is a lie. The FSHS is enshrined in our constitution; Article 25 says it clearly. So, what is the minister talking about here?” he questioned.
The proposed bill aims to provide legal backing for free and compulsory senior high school education. Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, discussing the bill, highlighted key reforms, including the integration of junior high school (JHS) into the secondary school system, creating six years of continuous secondary education. Another significant change proposed is the elimination of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a prerequisite for secondary school admission. Instead, the BECE would be used solely for school selection.
Mr. Addy contended that the bill lacks originality, merely echoing long-standing public calls for improvements to the FSHS policy.
He therefore urged the government to focus on genuine enhancements to the educational system rather than pursuing legislation for political gain.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga