In a significant shift in the education funding landscape, stakeholders at the National Education Forum (NEF) have rejected the idea of the government entirely funding education, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
This recommendation is a departure from the current model, where the government bears the bulk of the cost.
The stakeholders, comprising educationists, financial experts, civil society organizations, parents, and policymakers, argued that the current funding model is unsustainable, compromises quality, and makes it challenging for the government to allocate resources to other critical sectors.
They proposed that the government’s funding should be limited to tuition, salaries, and infrastructure development, while parents cover other expenses such as uniforms, feeding, and examination fees.
This recommendation is not an isolated view. Previously, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) had also called for a review of the Free SHS policy, citing the need for a more sustainable funding model.
Additionally, the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) had expressed concerns about the proposed Free SHS Bill, urging the government to proceed with caution and engage stakeholders in the decision-making process.
The stakeholders at the NEF also emphasized the need to promote accountability and transparency in education financing, ensuring that scarce funds are utilized effectively.
They recommended that policies and incentives be put in place to attract funding from alternative sources, such as alumni associations, corporate bodies, and philanthropists.
In an interview, Prof. George K.T Oduro, Chairperson of the Committee set up to organize the NEF, highlighted the importance of seeking collaborative opinions to address the challenges in the educational sector.
“The cross-cutting challenge is finance, and no government can single-handedly fund education to ensure access, equity, and quality,” he said.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
