President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, stating categorically that he will not cancel it but will improve its implementation to ensure better efficiency and quality education.
Addressing Parliament during his first State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Mahama dismissed claims that his administration intends to scrap Free SHS and instead outlined key reforms to address the severe challenges affecting the program.
“Once again, for emphasis and for the record, I, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, will not cancel the Free SHS programme. I am determined to make it better by improving its implementation,” he declared.
He, however, challenged the accuracy of previous government figures, stating that the total number of beneficiaries since the program’s inception stands at 3.4 million, not 5.1 million as claimed by the previous administration.
Mahama highlighted overcrowding, poor infrastructure, food shortages, and financial mismanagement as critical weaknesses in the program’s execution.
“The implementation of Free SHS leaves much to be desired. While it has improved access, the reality is that many students are crammed into inadequate classrooms, struggling with a flawed double-track system, and receiving substandard meals,” he noted.
One of Mahama’s major pledges was to abolish the double-track system, which was introduced due to a lack of school infrastructure.
“The double-track system remains a challenge, and we are committed to eliminating it by accelerating school infrastructure expansion and completing stalled projects,” he assured.
To fund this, Mahama revealed that the Education and Finance Ministries are working to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to ensure that secondary school projects receive adequate financing.
Mahama also criticized the current feeding system, which has been plagued by reports of poor food quality and delayed supplies.
“We have begun improving secondary school feeding. Our goal is to decentralize food procurement and management, ensuring that school heads are given full control over the process,” he stated.
To enhance parental and community participation in secondary school management, Mahama announced the restoration of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), which had been sidelined under the previous administration.
“It is important for parents and communities to be part of school administration. However, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) will ensure that PTAs do not impose unbearable financial burdens on parents and students,” he assured.
Mahama further announced a strategic expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to equip students with practical skills for employment.
“We will establish Regional TVET Centres of Excellence to provide hands-on training and skills development for students,” he said.
Mahama also outlined new policies for tertiary education, including a No-Fee Tertiary Admission Policy to remove financial barriers for students entering universities.
Additionally, he announced the introduction of Student Loan Plus, an enhanced student loan scheme designed to increase access to higher education.
Mahama’s speech clarifies his position on Free SHS, dispelling misinformation while outlining a data-driven approach to improving the policy.
With 3.4 million actual beneficiaries,not 5.1 million as previously claimed,his government aims to streamline the program, fix inefficiencies, and ensure long-term sustainability.
