It has emerged that 26 percent of pupils who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination in the Lambussie district of the Upper West region are unable to go to SHS because they cannot pay the admission fees.
Authorities in the area are, however, hopeful the situation will change with the implementation of the free SHS policy by the government in September.
This came to light during the Town Hall meeting of the Lambussie district held on Wednesday.
Speaking at the program, the DCE for the area Braimah Wikana disclosed that the poverty levels in the area is making it difficult for the parents to pay the admission fees of their children.
He said, “Information available to me indicates that 26 percent of our children who pass the BECE are not able to go to school because of fees. I therefore believe that if the free SHS policy is implemented in September… the policy in the next four years will cover all children who enter SHS and this will help parents save money to invest in other areas.”
Touching on the planting for food and jobs program, Mr. Wikana encouraged the youth to take advantage of the policy so that the unemployment rate in the area is reduced.
The town hall meeting attracted participants from all over the district including chiefs.
