- GNAT accuses government of political interference in education.
- Free SHS Bill deemed unnecessary and politically motivated.
- Bill aims to make senior high school education free and compulsory.
- GNAT urges politicians to keep politics out of education.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has expressed concerns over the proposed Free SHS Bill, accusing the government of political interference in the education system. Rev Isaac Owusu, GNAT’s National President, believes the announcement of a new law is politically motivated, driven by the government’s fear of losing its flagship program.
Owusu argues that a new law is unnecessary, as the country already has legislation in place, and questions the relationship between the proposed bill and existing laws. He suggests that the government should instead bring a Legislative Instrument (LI) to clarify the implementation of Free SHS, rather than proposing a new bill.
The Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, has announced that the Free SHS Bill, 2024, will be presented to the Cabinet for debate, aiming to provide legal backing for free and compulsory senior high school education. The proposed bill introduces changes to the education system, including restructuring junior high school and eliminating the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a prerequisite for SHS admission.
Once passed, the bill would make the SHS completion certificate the first formal certificate students can obtain, replacing the BECE certification. However, Rev Owusu views the bill as political maneuvering, with little genuine concern for education, and urges politicians to keep politics out of educational issues.
He emphasizes the need for experts to guide and advise on educational matters, rather than politicians making decisions based on political interests. GNAT’s concerns highlight the ongoing debate over the role of politics in education and the need for a more collaborative approach to improve the education system in Ghana.
