Parents Should Pay for Feeding, Accommodation in Free SHS – NAGRAT President

Parents Should Pay for Feeding, Accommodation in Free SHS – NAGRAT President

The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, has proposed that parents with wards in senior high schools should contribute to the costs of their feeding and accommodation. He suggested this as part of a review of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which he believes is unsustainable in its current form due to the country’s economic difficulties.

Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM on January 10, 2025, Mr. Carbonu emphasized the need for a reassessment of the Free SHS program. He pointed out that while the program has undeniable benefits, Ghana’s financial struggles make it difficult to maintain the current level of subsidies.

This proposal aligns with recent calls from the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), who have also urged parents to assist with feeding challenges in schools. The discussion arises amid ongoing food shortages in senior high schools, with headmasters requesting that parents provide additional provisions for their children.

Mr. Carbonu criticized the reliance on the National Food Buffer Stock Company, which he claimed has led to delays in food allocations to schools. He suggested that temporarily sending students home could provide time for stakeholders to discuss and implement solutions. He also highlighted the urgent need to appoint a Minister of Education to spearhead these discussions.

Ghana’s economic constraints, described by Mr. Carbonu as those of a “debt-ridden, distressed country,” limit the government’s capacity to sustain Free SHS in its current form. He proposed a shift towards targeted support for financially distressed families rather than blanket subsidies, advocating for a more sustainable approach.

Mr. Carbonu called for a national dialogue to openly address the financial realities and develop practical solutions to the challenges facing the education sector. He stressed the importance of transparency and realistic expectations, suggesting that if Ghana’s financial situation improves, broader support could be reinstated.

Source: Graphic online