Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to enhance the government’s educational programme, Free Senior High School (Free SHS).
The vice president added that the government has registered the highest-ever level of SHS enrolment, with around 500,000 students in 2023.
Dr. Bawumia outlined his vision for the country in his national speech on February 7 at the UPSA auditorium, describing the performance of students who took the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2023 as the best since 2015.
“We have also implemented Free SHS with an increase in enrolment from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.4 million by 2022. The year 2023 has recorded the highest-ever level of enrolment in SHS of around 500,000 students. The performance of the students at WASSCE is also the best since 2015 and we have also achieved gender parity. Under my government, Free SHS will continue, and we will improve upon it. Who can you trust to protect and improve Free SHS? Once again, it is Dr. Bawumia.”
The Free SHS policy has faced several hurdles.
Several groups and people have encouraged the government to evaluate the policy and improve it, but the Akufo-Addo administration remains adamant.