In an upcoming special event scheduled for 10th November 2024, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to address Ghana’s parents and students on his vision for the future of education in the country.
According to a press release signed by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Bawumia’s Campaign Director of Communications, the event is aimed at addressing the concerns many parents and students share regarding the future of Free SHS.
“The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, plans to protect Free SHS and Free TVET,” while emphasizing a broader vision to offer every young Ghanaian “the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills he or she needs to live a productive, dignified, and fulfilling life.”
The event, aptly titled “Protecting Free SHS, Providing Skills for Jobs – The Bawumia Plan,” reflects the candidate’s commitment to making high-quality education accessible to all Ghanaians, ensuring a skilled and capable future workforce.
The flagship Free SHS policy, alongside Free TVET, has been touted by the NPP as a game-changer for Ghana’s youth, promoting equitable access to quality education across the country.
As competition grows in the political arena, Dennis Aboagye noted that Dr. Bawumia aims to reassure parents and students that his administration would work to protect these programs, should he be elected President.
The upcoming engagement promises to provide clarity on how the NPP plans to not only sustain these initiatives but also to enhance educational outcomes from kindergarten to tertiary levels.
The announcement follows Dr. Bawumia’s recent engagement with Ghanaian youth on unemployment, another critical issue for the country. In his discussion, he outlined an ambitious goal: to create 4 million jobs over the next eight years if elected on 7th December 2024.
This job creation initiative is designed to tackle the pressing challenge of youth unemployment by equipping young people with skills that meet labor market demands.
Building a Workforce for the Future: Emphasis on STEM and Technical Skills
One of the highlights of the event will be a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who will delve into the NPP’s growing focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Recognizing the global shift towards technology-driven economies, Dr. Bawumia’s plan prioritizes STEM as a means to prepare Ghana’s future workforce for the demands of the 21st-century job market.
This strategic shift aligns with the NPP’s broader goals of economic transformation and sustainable development, positioning Ghana’s youth as competitive participants in the global economy.
“SHS graduates will be assured of Dr. Bawumia’s commitment to making tertiary education accessible to every SHS graduate who desires it, and why a student’s inability to pay for university education will no longer be a hindrance.”
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Bawumia’s Campaign Director of Communications
Dennis Aboagye indicated that as part of his presentation, Dr. Bawumia will address the challenges that Ghana’s education system faces, particularly in areas like funding, infrastructure, and teacher training.
The “Bawumia Plan” aspires to deliver a holistic educational framework where every child, regardless of background, has equal access to quality education.
Dennis Aboagye assured that the “Protecting Free SHS, Providing Skills for Jobs” engagement will be aired live on all major television and radio networks across Ghana and will also be streamed on social media platforms, enabling parents, students, and the wider public to participate.
The Free SHS program has become one of the most defining social policies in Ghana’s recent history, benefiting over 1.6 million students since its inception. Thus, its future is not only a focal point for stakeholders in education but also a potential determinant in the upcoming elections.
Dr. Bawumia’s upcoming engagement with parents and students is set to be a comprehensive display of his commitment to education and youth empowerment.
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