The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has joined requests to suspend debate on the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Bill, which is scheduled to be presented to Parliament when it reconvenes on December 16.
NAGRAT claims that, among other difficulties, the bill did not get adequate engagement from important parties.
The proposed legislation, developed by the Ministry of Education, seeks to establish a legal basis for the Free SHS scheme.
Speaking during a news conference in Accra, NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu emphasized the need of broad stakeholder participation, recommending that the law be thoroughly consulted before being reviewed in the next Parliament.
“When you hear the title ‘Free Senior High School Education’, you might assume it addresses the cost of Free SHS, but there are issues in this document that go far beyond just the government’s provision of Free Senior High School education,” stated Mr. Carbonu.
He also expressed concern over parliament approving legislation during its final sittings, calling it “morally wrong.”
He proposed that the present parliament allow the incoming one to evaluate the measure, allowing for more careful and in-depth discussions with stakeholders before it is signed into law.
Mr Carbonu also advocated for a more focused approach to the eventual implementation of President-elect John Mahama’s tuition-free proposal for first-year university students, citing the country’s financial constraints. “Money is not available in our country, and we need to spend it prudently,” he said.
