The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently address the substantial debt burden on the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Secretariat, which according to the caucus currently stands at approximately six billion Ghana cedis.
The Minority Caucus, in media engagement addressed by Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member of the Education Committee in Parliament indicated the financial strain is threatening the sustainability of the FSHS program and the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
“The financial burden is just too much and going through the roof. From where I sit, I can say information available to me indicates that over six billion is being owed to companies, individuals, and organizations in relation to Free Senior High Schools”.
Honorable Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, MP Akatsi North Constituency and Ranking Member of Parliament Education Committee
The Member of Parliament for Akatsi North Constituency further expressed serious concerns over the government’s failure to settle its debts with various suppliers and service providers.
Honorable Nortsu-Kotoe, in his remarks, revealed that only 10% of the total amount owed to the supplier of the “One Student, One Tablet” initiative has been paid, leaving a significant balance outstanding.
Government’s Indebtedness to WAEC
The Akatsi North Member of Parliament also disclosed that the government’s indebtedness to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) amounts to 224 million cedis, which poses a significant risk to the forthcoming West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
He stressed that the inability of the government to settle these debts could jeopardize the examination, which is crucial for the academic progression of thousands of students across the country.
In addition to the debts owed to the West African Examinations Council, the National Democratic Congress lawmaker, Honorable Nortsu-Kotoe highlighted the plight of other suppliers to the FSHS Secretariat who have also not been paid.
This according to him includes those who provide essential items such as school uniforms, food supplies, and even basic commodities like palm oil.
“Those who supplied school uniforms two years ago, the government owes them. Those who supply food items, even palm oil a year ago, the secretariat still owes and many other things. Putting all these together, it’s also about 300 million Ghana cedis. So this six billion Ghana cedis, which is now a debt on the neck of the Free Senior High School Secretariat, must be settled”.
Honorable Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, MP Akatsi North Constituency and Ranking Member of Parliament Education Committee
Highlighting the dire ramifications of the government’s indebtedness to the FSHS Secretariat, the Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament emphasized that the government’s continuous delay in settling these debts is not only detrimental to the suppliers but also undermines the overall quality and effectiveness of the Free SHS program.
He called for immediate action from the government to secure funds and clear the outstanding debts to ensure the smooth operation of the FSHS initiative and the successful administration of the WASSCE.
Honorable Nortsu-Kotoe vehemently criticized the government’s approach to the issue, describing the ongoing debates and discussions on the Free Senior High School Policy as needless distractions from the pressing need to address the financial obligations.
He urged the government to prioritize the settlement of these debts to restore confidence among suppliers and stakeholders and to safeguard the educational prospects of the nation’s youth.
The Free SHS program, is a flagship initiative of the current government which aims to provide free secondary education to all Ghanaian students.
However, the program since its intrduction has faced several challenges, including funding shortfalls and logistical issues, among several others.
In an earlier critique, the Executive Director of the Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Kofi Asare, voiced significant concerns about the government’s strategy in funding the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The leader of the leading education think-tank group pointed out critical inefficiencies and financial strain in the current system that need urgent addressing to ensure sustainable and equitable education financing.
The Minority’s call for immediate action underscores the urgency of the situation and the critical need for the government to take decisive steps to resolve the financial impasse.
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