Angel Carbonu, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), has urged the government to pay particular attention to the country’s basic education.
He emphasised that the three various aspects of education (i.e., basic, secondary and tertiary) are equally needed to improve the human resources in the country.
Carbonu was of the view that all efforts and resources are being pumped into the secondary cycle due to the free SHS policy, at the expense of both the basic and tertiary levels.
Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on TV3’s Ghana Tonight programme on Tuesday, February 27, Mr Carbonu said, “Senior high is only one aspect of the three aspects of education in any country. So for us to zero in and emphasise on secondary school, we are beginning to ignore the other ones, which are basic school and tertiary,” adding that “we need to look at all these holistically in our own interest.”
He decried the level at which private businessmen have taken over the basic school level as a conduit for profit-making.
Mr. Carbonu therefore called for broader discussions on the review process of the flagship free SHS policy.
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“On average, parents are spending about over 4,400 Ghana cedis and the government is spending about 1,200 [Ghana] “On average, parents are spending about 4,400 Ghana cedis, and the government is spending about 1,200 [Ghana] cedis,” Kofi Asare stated, adding, “So the government is taking care of about 23 percent of the cost and parents are taking care of about 77 percent of the cost”.
He also noted that the “average Ghanaian student is a boarding student”.
Kofi Asare explained that the GHc4,200 parents spend on their wards consists of the cost of prospectus and non-prospectus items.
“These include provisions, transport, keeping and other personal effects”, he added.
He stressed that the amount is the minimum, as parents spend not less than GHc6,200 in the first academic year on their wards, whereas the government does not spend more than GHc1,200 a year.
However, President Akufo-Addo, addressing the nation on Tuesday, February 27, touted his administration for the implementation of the free SHS policy.
“I am proud that the NPP government, under my leadership, has been able to bring this transformative policy into our education system”, said President Akufo-Addo.
The President also pointed out that arguments about the free SHS policy must cease with a call for proper review and input to ensure its sustainability.