Free SHS Will be Reviewed - Gov't to IMF

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The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has emphasized its intention to review the flagship Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, as indicated in the latest report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Ghana's US$3 billion bailout programme.

Related To This: Review Free SHS For Parents To Assist You - NUGS To Government

Contained in the 155-page report, on page 76 under the heading 'PUBLIC SPENDING EFFICIENCY,' the government outlined plans to recalibrate the expenditure portfolio of Municipal and District Assemblies responsible for social spending, aiming to reallocate funds towards targeted and meticulously designed interventions.

In the education sector, the report specified a review and rationalization of the Free SHS programme, highlighting a commitment to supporting tertiary education, enhancing foundational learning, and introducing collaborative reforms to enrich overall learning outcomes.


Titled "STAFF REPORT FOR THE 2023 ARTICLE IV CONSULTATION, FIRST REVIEW UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT UNDER THE EXTENDED CREDIT FACILITY, REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA, AND FINANCING ASSURANCES REVIEW," the IMF report sheds light on the deliberations concerning the Free SHS programme.

Related To This: Parent Associations Can Fundraise to Support Free SHS – GES

This announcement comes in the backdrop of recent exchanges between the government and former president John Dramani Mahama, who has expressed intentions to review the Free SHS programme should he assume office in 2025. Notwithstanding, the government, backed by the education minister, has stressed the programme's need for improvements rather than an overhaul.

The Free SHS policy, a key initiative, seeks to eliminate cost barriers by absorbing fees approved by the GES council, enhance educational quality through the provision of essential textbooks, teacher optimization and deployment, and expand physical school infrastructure to accommodate the anticipated surge in enrollment.

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