Review of Free SHS must not affect access - Prof. Puplampu entreats government

The Vice-Chancellor of Central University, Prof. Bill B. Puplampu, has said that any attempt to review the free Senior High School policy should not lead to cutting back on access to second cycle education.

"We believe a review should concentrate on how to improve the stock of existing secondary and post-secondary education. We believe a review should provide a platform for improving the content of the secondary school curriculum to reflect global realities, African history, identity, ethical soundness, proper moral values and practical applications of science.

“We believe the review should facilitate improvements in teaching, ensure quality and better care for those who teach in our secondary schools, especially those who take on the job of going to places where others don't want to go," he said

The V-C was speaking at a matriculation ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic year at the Miosto campus of the university in Accra.

The event, which was the 28th since the university was established in 1998, saw a total of 2,784 matriculants, who included 39 foreign students from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Rwanda, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. 

Parental opt-out

Prof Puplampu also said that a review of the policy should consider the development of sound means-testing and parental opt-out frameworks for those who could afford and did not need support from the state.

“We all pay taxes. We all work, and, therefore, irrespective of where we live in this country, our children must have access to good secondary school education.

"We believe a review should also lead to the standardisation of junior and senior secondary school facilities across the country, and the elimination of the so-called school grading system,” he added. 

Partnership

Prof. Puplampu further suggested that the government should partner credible private universities to expand higher education by adopting a fee credit/voucher system to even out access.

Such a system, he said, would allow students to take up available places in private universities of their choice since they would only need to top up their fees where there was a need.

“Our view is that there are far too many overcrowded lecture halls in public universities while similar programme spaces remain available in private institutions.

“Higher Education is both a public good and a private benefit.

It must not be left to state-intervention for the state sector and the intervention of market forces in the private sector.

An intentional blend is required,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, who represented the Chancellor of CU, Dr Mensa Otabil, congratulated the matriculants and advised them to refrain from actions that would jeopardise their academic journey, adding that they should be guided by the regulations of the university.

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh