Economist and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, is projecting that it will cost the country GHS3.3 billion to fund the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy in the coming academic year.
The amount, which is exclusive of salaries for staff, is almost thrice the GHS1.3 billion that was budgeted for the policy in the 2018 budget.
Making a presentation on how to finance free quality education in the country, Prof. Aryeetey said the strong growth in the cost of the programme would be influenced by its maturity from the current two streams to three streams.
He said the cost estimate was based on data obtained from the running of SHSs nationwide.
Should the status quo remain, Prof. Aryeetey said the cost of Free SHS could spiral to GHS5 billion per annum in the coming years.
Although a positive programme, he said the strong growth in cost of the Free SHS could deny funding to other sectors of the economy, thereby strangulating growth in those areas.
As a result, he called for a realistic strategy to ensure that those who can afford, pay for their wards to go to SHSs.
He said that strategy could come in the form of targeting, either through schools, regions or parents, using their employment histories.
Source: Graphic.com
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You were to come out with how the program could be sustained. All that you could do is to blow alarm,by drinking tea and coffee. That is why you failed the nation as VC. You were asked to pool brains and come out with how best the program could be sustained and produce more professors like you. We are waiting for the solution fro critical thinkers.
BUY-DANGOT£3xC£M£NT DIRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY FOR #1300 PER BAG AND #300 TO DELIVER PER BAG AND RICE #9000 PER BAG THIS IS ONLY FOR CUSTOMERS THAT ARE GETTING FROM 100BAGS,TRAILER LOADS OF 600BAGS,900BAGS AND 1400BAGS ABOVE. CONTACT THE SALES MANAGER Mrs Aishat Ibrahim 08146766752 or Alhaji Umar sani ON 0 8 0 3 0 7 5 8 3 9 7 FOR BOOKING AND DELIVERY. As a result, he called for a realistic strategy to ensure that those who can afford, pay for their wards to go to SHSs. He said that strategy could come in the form of targeting, either through schools, regions or parents, using their employment histories.
Please, engage those that went on the Green Track and they will tell you how much they learnt in these past 41 or less days. For me what I see Ghana practicing now is "Free Quantity Education" we live to see and hear testimonies.
We thank you learned professor. But please for now the national cake through the oil revenue is being shared equally. until our economy is formalized to about 80% it will be difficult to do an effective means testing. So I think for now let all enjoy it for now and for those who think they can pay for their wards should contribute that amount into a fund to support the program. Silah
Your assessment is candid and I do not see any political undertone in it. The policy does not object to suggestions to improve and sustain its implementation. However, various structures have to be in place to effectively target parents that can afford to pay. As time goes on all those will be factored in. For now, let the children and parents enjoy their first ever direct access to the national cake and make the best out of it. After all, the Minister of Finance himself has already suggested it.