University of Memphis in USA Hosts NAPO to discuss the success story of Free SHS

The University of Memphis is set to host Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO)—, former Minister of Energy and Education in Ghana on October 18, 2024, to discuss the success story of the Free Senior High School(SHS)

As part of a broader discussion on global education policy, Dr. Prempeh will deliver a lecture titled “Implementing a National Policy for Educational Access and Equity.” This event, taking place in UC Bluff Room (304) at 10:00 AM, comes at a crucial time when issues of educational access are increasingly urgent worldwide.

Dr. Prempeh’s address is expected to offer a detailed look at how national policies, like the Free SHS program, can be implemented effectively to ensure equal access to education for all, setting a model for other nations to follow.

The Free Senior High School (SHS) Program in Ghana is a government initiative launched in September 2017 aimed at providing free secondary education to all eligible students across the country.

This policy ensures that students who complete junior high school (JHS) can transition to senior high school without paying tuition fees, examination fees, and other costs such as textbooks, meals, and boarding for residential students.

The program was introduced under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo and championed by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who was Ghana’s Minister of Education at the time. Its goal is to increase access to quality education, reduce the financial burden on families, and improve literacy rates while helping bridge the gap in educational opportunities between the rich and poor.

Prior to the Free SHS initiative, many students, especially those from low-income families, faced challenges in affording secondary education, leading to high dropout rates. The program has significantly boosted SHS enrollment rates, allowing tens of thousands of students to attend school who would have otherwise been excluded due to financial constraints.

Despite its successes, the Free SHS program has also faced challenges, including issues of overcrowding in schools, strained infrastructure, and concerns about the sustainability of funding. Nonetheless, it remains a cornerstone of the current government’s educational policy and a key achievement in Ghana’s efforts to make education more equitable.

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