NPP to Review Free Senior High School

The International Monetary Fund’s report on Ghana’s bailout program has recorded an intent of the Akufo-Addo government to take another look at the Free Senior High School program.

A few weeks ago, there was a compelling discourse between the government and former president John Dramani Mahama, who has pledged to evaluate the Free SHS initiative should he assume office in 2025.

Within the 155-page report, precisely on page 76, the government has addressed the critical topic of “PUBLIC SPENDING EFFICIENCY.” Amongst a multitude of significant subjects, one particularly resonates with the strategic realignment of expenditure allocations within the Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) entrusted with the vital responsibility of social spending.

The relevant section on education states: “The key objective is to shift the composition of expenditure by these development agencies towards targeted and well-designed interventions.

“In addition to a functional review of relevant MDAs, we will carry out a comprehensive assessment of public sector wages, including in education and health sectors.

“In the education sector, we will review and rationalize the Free Senior High School (SHS) program. We will continue our support to tertiary education, take targeted measures to improve foundational learning (e.g., increasing capitation grants), and introduce reforms with the help of development partners to improve overall learning outcomes.”

The document titled: “Staff Report for the 2023 Article IV Consultation, First Review Under The Arrangement Under The Extended Credit Facility, Request For Modification Of Performance Criteria, And Financing Assurances Review”, was published on December 18, 2023.