Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy while placing greater emphasis on improving basic education across the country.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after monitoring the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Savelugu Municipality of the Northern Region, Dr Apaak stressed the importance of strengthening foundational education.
“We campaigned on improving and sustaining the Free SHS programme, but that doesn’t mean we’re neglecting basic education. In fact, we understand that basic education is the foundation. When you get basic right, secondary and tertiary education become easier,” he said.
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Dr Apaak expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exams and commended students and teachers alike for their dedication. “This monitoring exercise is to see firsthand how the exams are progressing and to assure the students that the government is with them every step of the way,” he added.
As part of his day-two monitoring duties, Dr Apaak visited examination centres in Tolon, Savelugu, and Pong-Tamale. He acknowledged that while the Free SHS policy often dominates education discourse, the government has a clear and robust plan to tackle critical challenges at the basic level.
Among the key areas of focus, he highlighted ongoing improvements in school feeding programmes. “Feeding arrangements have changed, and the students and their school heads can confirm that. We’re also working to improve it further,” he noted.
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Dr Apaak also identified persistent issues including inadequate infrastructure, a lack of furniture, and the absence of science laboratories and TVET workshops in many schools.
“We know that a lot of our schools don’t have science labs. The TVET schools don’t have workshops. Furniture remains a challenge. But given our track record and the leadership of a man who has done it before, I’m confident we’ll deliver,” he said, referring to President John Dramani Mahama.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Mensah
