Presidential hopeful Alan Kyerematen has called for an ambitious overhaul of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, emphasizing its long-term sustainability and graduate readiness for life after school. Speaking at the Presidential Encounters 2024 hosted by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and monitored by adwoaadubianews.com, Mr. Kyerematen outlined his vision under the Great Transformational Plan (GTP), which seeks to reform the programme into a comprehensive system that extends beyond secondary education.
Mr. Kyerematen commended the Free SHS programme as a groundbreaking initiative but cautioned against its current limitations. “The Free SHS programme is a great policy, and I doubt whether any government would discontinue it,” he said. However, he pointed out the programme’s lack of robust pathways for graduates, asking the critical question: “After Free SHS, what next?” According to Mr. Kyerematen, failing to prepare students for tertiary education, vocational training, or the workforce diminishes the potential impact of the policy.
Key Pillars of Reform Under the GTP
The Movement for Change leader presented a five-point reform agenda focusing on:
- Financial Sustainability: He highlighted the urgent need to identify and secure funding sources to sustain the programme. “Where are we going to find the money to sustain this?” he queried, urging stakeholders to confront the programme’s financial challenges head-on.
- Infrastructure Development: Mr. Kyerematen emphasized addressing infrastructure deficits in schools, such as inadequate classrooms, dormitories, and teaching facilities, to enhance the learning environment and improve education quality.
- Curriculum Modernization: He questioned whether the existing curriculum adequately equips students for modern economic demands. “We need to ask ourselves, what are we teaching them under the Free SHS programme? Is it helping them transition into the world of work?”
- Educator Capacity Building: To ensure quality education, he called for targeted training for teachers and administrative staff, enabling them to manage schools more effectively.
- Graduate Transition Pathways: Mr. Kyerematen unveiled innovative measures to prepare graduates for life after SHS, including a compulsory one-year apprenticeship and internship programme. This initiative will provide hands-on training in artisanal and entrepreneurial skills, aligning graduates with market needs.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment
The GTP envisions multiple pathways to empower graduates:
- Entrepreneurship Support: Graduates interested in starting businesses would have access to funding, mentorship, and resources through government programs, fostering youth-led enterprises.
- Health Screening Booth Scheme: Graduates could operate health booths on a work-and-pay basis, addressing unemployment while improving healthcare access in underserved areas.
- National Security Recruitment: Structured entry points into security services would be established for interested graduates.
- Higher Education Financing: To ensure accessibility, the government would offer financial support for those pursuing tertiary education.
Strengthening the Foundation of Education
Mr. Kyerematen stressed the importance of pre-basic and basic education, arguing that the success of Free SHS depends on a strong educational foundation. “We talk about Free SHS as if the foundation doesn’t matter. Strengthening basic and pre-basic education is critical to ensure students are fully prepared for SHS and beyond,” he noted.
A Digital Leap for Ghana’s Youth
In addition to education reforms, Mr. Kyerematen unveiled plans to establish 100,000 free satellite internet hotspots across the nation. These hotspots, strategically located in secondary schools and public areas, aim to enhance digital access and reduce the high cost of internet for content creators and students alike.
This initiative, he explained, would revolutionize teaching and learning while positioning Ghana’s youth to thrive in a tech-driven global economy.
Reimagining Free SHS for a Brighter Future
Alan Kyerematen’s proposed reforms offer a forward-thinking approach to transforming the Free SHS programme into a launchpad for national development. By addressing financial sustainability, improving infrastructure, modernizing the curriculum, and ensuring graduate readiness, his vision aims to create a system that not only provides access to education but also equips students with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed. With the GTP, Mr. Kyerematen seeks to ensure that every graduate contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s future while leaving no one behind.
