Free SHS Policy has 'spelt doom' for education sector - UG lecturer

Accra, Ghana - Professor Martin Oteng Ababio, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, has expressed concerns over the Free Senior High School policy's implementation, citing worsened challenges in the education sector.

While acknowledging the policy's success in boosting university enrollment, Prof. Ababio argues that inadequate infrastructure expansion has compromised tertiary education quality.

Speaking to the media during a campaign outreach by lecturers to promote awareness of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 manifesto, Prof. Ababio noted that university facilities are strained, with lecture halls accommodating up to 600-800 students, and emphasized that the lack of infrastructure expansion has hindered education quality.

He believes the policy's flaws have compromised Ghana's educational system.

Prof. Ababio praised the NDC's plan to review the policy, expressing confidence that a thorough review would address existing gaps and enhance Ghana's education quality.

“The free SHS has helped. But it has spelt the doom of the whole educational system. The number of students that are getting into the university has increased tremendously. Lectures have not increased. The lecture halls have not increased. The residential halls have not increased," he stated.

"So we are compromising, and I am a lecturer, we are compromising quality for quantity. In a sense today, if you come to Legon, you enter a lecture hall to find 600, 800 students in one room."

“That makes it very difficult to reach out to each and every one. How many essays can you mark a day? And how many essays can you give to a student?," he added dded.

His concerns underscore the need for sustainable solutions to ensure accessible, quality education in Ghana.

Source:Lead News Online