Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reaffirmed her party’s commitment to improving the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme if elected into power.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that the NDC sees the Free SHS programme as a crucial investment in Ghana’s future and a policy that her party helped to initiate.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that under the previous NDC government, the groundwork for Free SHS was laid through the construction of Community Day Senior High Schools and the introduction of the Progressively Free SHS policy, aimed at making secondary education accessible to all Ghanaian children.
“The NDC does not intend to cancel Free SHS. On the contrary, we are committed to making it better. We understand the challenges facing the programme and we are prepared to address them head-on, not by abandoning the policy but by refining and improving it.”
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Speaking to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who previously served as the Minister of Education under the John Dramani Mahama administration, addressed concerns raised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the NDC plans to scrap the programme.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called such claims “misleading propaganda” and urged the public to disregard these false accusations.
The NDC running mate acknowledged the current challenges associated with the Free SHS programme, citing issues such as overcrowded classrooms, inadequate boarding facilities, and a lack of essential teaching and learning materials.
One of the most significant concerns, according to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, is the double-track system, which was introduced by the current NPP government to accommodate the large number of students entering senior high schools under the Free SHS programme.
The double-track system, which splits the academic year into two cohorts, has faced widespread criticism for disrupting the academic calendar and placing undue pressure on both students and teachers.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang argued that this system has had a negative impact on the quality of education in Ghana’s secondary schools, and that the NDC is committed to resolving this issue if given the mandate.
“Are they saying we should not address the current education calendar that has brought the double-track system to our SHS and affected quality teaching? Are they saying we should not let our children have better food?” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang questioned during the rally.
“We will fix the challenges of the Free SHS policy to make it better,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang pledged. “Our children deserve quality education, and it is our responsibility to provide that for them.”
Appeal to Voters
As part of her address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang appealed to Ghanaians to vote for the NDC’s presidential candidate, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, in the upcoming elections.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted Mr. Mahama’s track record in education and reiterated his commitment to improving education at all levels, from basic to tertiary.
“The NDC has a comprehensive plan to raise the quality of education and create jobs for our youth. We are ready to lead Ghana into a brighter future, and we ask for your support to make this vision a reality.”
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also drew attention to the NDC’s broader vision for national development, including the implementation of the “24-Hour Economy” policy, which aims to create jobs for the youth by promoting round-the-clock economic activity.
According to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, this policy, coupled with improved education, would provide young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s pledge to address the Free SHS programme’s challenges, rather than dismantle it, offered a clear distinction between the NDC’s approach and the opposition’s narrative. As the December election draws nearer, education is set to be a key battleground, and the NDC’s commitment to improving Free SHS could play a decisive role in swaying voters.
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