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Child Rights International has strongly condemned recent proposals to transfer the cost of feeding students under Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy to parents.
In a statement issued on January 11, 2025, the child advocacy organisation underscored the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the Free SHS program, describing it as a transformative initiative that has drastically improved access to education since its inception in 2017.
“The proposal to shift the cost of feeding to parents contradicts the foundational principles of the Free SHS policy, which seeks to remove financial barriers and promote inclusivity in education for all Ghanaian children,” the statement read.
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The Free SHS policy, hailed as a landmark social intervention, covers tuition, feeding, accommodation, and other associated costs. It has enabled millions of students, particularly those from low-income families and rural communities, to access secondary education.
The program has been credited with increasing school enrolment, reducing dropout rates, and improving literacy levels across the country.
Despite its successes, the policy has faced challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, delayed fund disbursements, and logistical issues, particularly in providing meals. These difficulties have sparked debates about the program’s sustainability and potential reforms.
Child Rights International acknowledged these challenges but cautioned against reforms that would erode the policy’s core benefits.
“Reforms should address operational inefficiencies without shifting the burden to parents, as this would undermine the policy’s goal of free and equitable education,” the organisation stated.
