The proposed adoption of the Free SHS Bill by the Akufo-Addo administration has alarmed the national president of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), who believes it to be another example of political meddling in the nation's educational system.
The unveiling of a new law, according to Rev. Isaac Owusu, seems to be politically motivated by the government's concern that a new party may reverse its main policy.
He made the case that since the nation already has a law, a new one is not essential in an interview with Evans Mensah on PM Express.
He stated, “Therefore, you can either propose a new bill or bring a LI to clarify how to implement the Free SHS.”
Rev Owusu questioned the relationship between the proposed Free SHS bill and existing legislation, asking, “Is it going to replace ACT 1029 9, which talks about pre-tertiary education which includes secondary education, or it is going to stand on its own? Maybe until we see the content then we will understand what the Minister is talking about.”
His comments came after Education Minister Dr Yaw Adutwum announced that the Free SHS Bill, 2024, would be presented to the Cabinet for debate this week.
The proposed Free SHS bill aims to provide legal backing for free and compulsory senior high school (SHS) education. It introduces several changes to the education system, including the restructuring of junior high school (JHS) and the elimination of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a prerequisite for SHS admission.
Dr. Adutwum also mentioned that the BECE would be used solely for school selection purposes, rather than as a condition for admission to secondary education.
Once passed, the bill would make the SHS completion certificate the first formal certificate any student could obtain in the country, replacing the BECE certification.
Proposed Free SHS bill: GNAT accuses the government of playing politics with education
He stated, “What we need is a law that says there should be free, compulsory universal secondary education. This means the minimum education for the Ghanaian should be a senior high school and not a junior high school,” adding, “It is our responsibility to provide support for them.”
Rev Owusu, however, views the bill as another instance of political maneuvering, with little genuine concern for education.
He said, “We know both the NDC and NPP…when former President Kufour set up Prof Anamoah’s Committee to reform secondary education, the duration was moved from three years to four years. Also, the late President Atta Mills in his manifesto said if he wins power, it will revert to three years. So, the politicians know the game they are playing.”
He urged politicians to keep politics out of educational issues and to rely on experts for guidance and advice, making a passionate plea that “when it comes to educational issues, they should leave politics out of it and get the experts to guide and advise them accordingly.”
