The All Teachers Alliance Ghana (ATAG) has raised concerns about the poor performance and high dropout rates of some beneficiaries of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy in tertiary institutions. This trend is alarming and warrants a closer examination of the issues plaguing the education sector.
According to ATAG, many students who benefited from the policy are struggling in university, with some performing poorly and others dropping out. This is a clear indication that the free SHS policy, although well-intentioned, has some significant flaws that need to be addressed. The General Secretary of ATAG, Mr. Albert Amoah, attributed the challenges to the inadequate preparation of students in SHS and the lack of technical and vocational training options.
The free SHS policy, introduced by the government in 2017, aimed to provide free education to all students in public SHS. While the policy has been praised for increasing access to education, its implementation has been plagued by challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, poor teaching, and lack of resources. These challenges have resulted in a situation where students are not adequately prepared for tertiary education, leading to poor performance and high dropout rates.
The struggles of free SHS beneficiaries in tertiary institutions highlight the need for a holistic approach to education reform. The government must address the systemic issues in the education sector, including the lack of technical and vocational training options, to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in tertiary education and beyond.
Furthermore, the government must also invest in providing adequate infrastructure, training teachers, and providing resources to schools. This will ensure that students receive a quality education that prepares them for success in tertiary education and the workforce. Additionally, the government must establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track student progress and identify areas that require improvement.
Moreover, the government must also consider the long-term benefits of technical and vocational training, which can provide students with practical skills that are in high demand in the job market. By providing students with alternative paths to success, we can reduce the pressure on the tertiary education system and provide more opportunities for students to succeed.
In addition, the government must also address the issue of inadequate funding for schools, which has resulted in a lack of resources and infrastructure. This has led to a situation where schools are unable to provide students with the quality education they deserve. The government must prioritize education funding to ensure that schools have the resources they need to provide quality education.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of qualified teachers in schools. Many schools lack qualified teachers, which has resulted in students not receiving the quality education they deserve. The government must prioritize teacher training and development to ensure that schools have qualified teachers who can provide students with the education they need to succeed.
In conclusion, the poor performance and high dropout rates of free SHS beneficiaries in tertiary institutions are a call to action for the government to review the policy and address the challenges facing the education sector. By doing so, we can ensure that the free SHS policy achieves its intended purpose of providing quality education to all, and prepares students for success in tertiary education and beyond.