A Professor of Educational Leadership at the UNESCO Institute for Educational Planning & Administration (IEPA) at the University of Cape Coast, George K.T. Oduro has commended the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama on his pledge to review the free senior high school policy when elected into office as the President of Ghana.

Professor George K.T. Oduro reacting to the National Democratic Congress flagbearer’s speech during the launch of the 2024 annual week celebration of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) stated that, Mr Mahama’s proposal is very appropriate, arguing that policy improvements are contingent upon periodic review.

Quoting the wisdom that “an unexamined life is not worth living”, the Professor of Educational Leadership at the UNESCO Institute for Educational Planning & Administration (IEPA) at the University of Cape Coast stressed the importance of critical evaluations in policy implementation.

“…I was privileged to chair a meeting of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS). It was exciting and encouraging that the Guest Speaker was His Excellency, the Visionary Former President John Dramani Mahama and the destined President of Ghana, come 2025. Also present was the humblest former Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah”.
Professor George K.T. Oduro

Review Of The Free SHS

The former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast further accused the ruling New Patriotic Party of demonstrating double standards and dishonesty in interpreting the National Democratic Congress flagbearer’s proposal to review the free senior high school policy.

He specifically lashed out at the Vice President and the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for expressing two opinions about the evaluation of the free senior high school policy.

Professor George Oduro claimed that the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the New Patriotic Party when dealing with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as captured in the IMF country report, expressed its intention to review and rationalize the free senior high school policy, which is completely different from its position on the policy when dealing with the Ghanaian voters.

Furthermore, Professor George K.T. Oduro cautioned the ruling New Patriotic Party and the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to refrain from misleading the electorate on the review of the free senior high school policy as proposed by the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama.

He argued that the deliberate attempt by members of the New Patriotic Party to avoid mentioning the review of the free senior high school policy during public commentaries on the policy is a political deception.

Moreover, the former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor George K.T. Oduro strongly asserted that the mention of a review of the free senior high school policy does not equate to cancellation of the policy.

Professor George Oduro strongly posited that no dictionary in the world defines review as a cancellation, hence it is dishonest for the ruling New Patriotic Party to describe the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama’s proposal to review the free senior high school policy as a cancellation.

He emphasized that it is only through a strategic and comprehensive review of the free senior high school policy that would ensure that the numerous challenges confronting the policy can be identified and dealt with to improve its implementation as well.

Former President John Dramani Mahama in his speech at the launch of the 2024 annual week celebration of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools outlined his vision for prioritizing basic education and strengthening private sector partnerships in the country.

The former President’s speech resonated with his commitment to prioritizing basic education and fostering collaboration with the private sector in delivering quality education.

A notable aspect of Mr Mahama’s speech was his emphasis on including private schools in the Free Senior High School (SHS) program and a pledge to review the implementation of the Free SHS policy upon assuming the presidency in 2025.