Free SHS has renewed confidence in politicians – Joe Ghartey
Member of Parliament for the Essikado Ketan Constituency says the introduction of the Free Senior High School has reestablished confidence in the body politics of the country.
He said Ghanaians over the years have lost faith in the promises made by politicians but the fulfillment of the New Patriotic Party’s flagship campaign message has been a plus for the party and politics in the country as a whole.
Mr. Ghartey who was speaking during a visit to some selected schools to assess the implementation of the Free Senior High School Education policy said, the move was a remarkable one in the history of the country and described the new generation of beneficiaries as blessed.
He recounted the struggles he faced during his school days when he was raised by a single parent saying, “I can understand the joy this policy has brought to many homes especially the under-privilege to acquire high education and to change their fortunes in the near future”.
The member of Parliament who doubles as a cabinet minister noted that an educated country or person was far richer than an uneducated one since the former stand a better chance at making good decisions and choices, and therefore encouraged the students to put to good use their three years in senior high school to enable them progress to the next level of life.
The minister accompanied by the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mrs. Eugenia Gifty Kusi, Mrs. Enyonam Amafugah, Education Director and Lawyer Agyepa Mercer, Mr. Anthony K. K. Sam and Mrs. Elizabeth Akouko, the STMA Director of education visited the Ghana Secondary Technical School, the Arch Bishop Porter Girls’ Senior High School, Adiembra Senior High School and the Daboase Senior Technical School.
At the schools visited, all heads of the institution lauded the FSHS policy which according to them had come at an opportune time to reduce the burden on parents and care givers and ensure that every Ghanaian child had access to equitable and quality education.
Mr. Ebenezer Nelson, Headmaster of the Adiembra Senior High School was full of praise for the new policy which according to him had saved the school of the usual hurdles in collecting school fees.
“This policy is a blessing to the school…we have lots of arrears pending as I speak, it’s difficult to raise monies from parents and caregivers. In fact is a big relief to me as head of this institution”, he said.
Mr. Nelson also said the FSHS has curbed lots of admissions sufferings as it had streamlined the admission processes.
He said, “we were given 776 out of which 645 had been placed and parents keep coming in with their wards…I am sure we will successfully exhaust our numbers.”
He however complained about the poor layout of the school and the need for massive infrastructural development to improve its current status.
At Daboase Senior High Technical School, the fresh students lined up the roadside to welcome the team in appreciation to government for the FSHS amidst drumming and cultural performances.
The school, had successfully placed all students despite the lack of dormitory and school blocks to aid teaching and learning.
The District Chief Executive, Mr. Wilson Arthur said the assembly was committed to supporting education in the area.
Although the school has over 20-acre land earnmarked for development, work is yet to begin on the facility.
Mr. Ghartey assured the school of effective collaboration between the district assembly, the Ghana Education Service and the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the school relocated to its new site.
Source: GNA
