Dean of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Kofi Agyekum porpularly known as Opanin Agyekum, says the government should revise the structures of its free Senior High School (SHS) to ensure that people with sound financial standing pay the fees of their wards.
Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on 'Kokrokoo' on Peace FM, Prof. Agyekum noted that it is only prudent for the 'rich' to make substantial financial contributions and so should forfeit a full package of the free SHS programme.
He cited an instance where a Minister’s child will have to benefit from free SHS equally as a student child from an average family who cannot genuinely afford the fees of his/her school.
Prof. Agyekum said there should be a method to exempt certain individuals from enjoying a free status as they can afford to pay the school fees of their children.
This scenario, he noted, is at the detriment of the poor and so called on the authorities in the education system to “deliberate on the issue to distinguish how many people whose children will become school dropouts should they not benefit from free SHS and how many who are financially sound to pay the fees of their wards”.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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How can you propose this, the policy should cover both the rich and the poor. Rather ask the people who are willing to contribute period.
For the first time I would like to disagree with Opanyin Agyekum. Free education started from the three northern Region during President Nkruma's time. The rich as well as the poor enjoyed it and continue to enjoy it so why not the so-call-rich in the southern part of the country? Prof one thing is that caring for a ward is not about being rich nor poor. it is about being responsible. some people are rich but not responsible. Every responsible Government will therefore have to take the responsibility of the rich but irresponsible parents. If the so-call-rich people think they have some things to assist in the development of education in the country, they can do so through the various school's PTA.
Is it not discriminatory? I don't accede to that line of thought that the rich should pay fees for their wards. What kind of discrimination is that? The oil money belongs to Ghanaians and them as well.