The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has criticized the Ghanaian government's Free SHS (Senior High School) program, stating that it is poorly targeted. In its recent country report on Ghana, the IMF approved a $3 billion bailout for the country but noted that the Free SHS program, which covers the full cost of secondary education, has increased enrollment but lacks effective targeting.
The IMF report also highlighted that Ghana spends around 4% of its GDP on education, resulting in improved enrollment but poor learning outcomes. The report suggests that primary education resources need strengthening, teacher training should be improved, and performance-based funding practices should be implemented to enhance the effectiveness of education spending.
JoyNews investigations indicate that the Free SHS program has received a budget allocation of over GH¢11.3 billion since 2019. In the 2023 budget, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the program and stated that it would continue to facilitate access to education for students. The current number of beneficiaries stands at 1.3 million students for the 2021/22 academic year.
President Akufo-Addo, speaking at a rally organized by the New Patriotic Party, criticized former President Mahama for being inconsistent in his stance on the Free SHS policy. He claimed that Mahama had shifted his argument from canceling the program to expanding it to include private second-cycle schools, which the President considered unreliable.
In July 2022, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta acknowledged the possibility of reviewing the Free SHS policy. He emphasized the need to ensure that education is appropriately provided, wastage is minimized, and value for money is achieved. Ofori-Atta stated that the Education Ministry is exploring ways to involve parents in the policy without coercion.
In conclusion, the IMF's country report on Ghana highlighted the Free SHS program as being poorly targeted, despite increasing enrollment. The report suggested areas for improvement in education spending, including strengthening primary education resources, enhancing teacher training, and implementing performance-based funding practices. The Ghanaian government remains committed to the Free SHS program and aims to facilitate access to education for students. However, there have been criticisms and debates regarding the policy, including inconsistencies in positions among political figures. The possibility of a policy review has been acknowledged by the Finance Minister to ensure the provision of quality education and value for money.