A Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Martin Oteng Ababio, has lambasted the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
He argues that while the policy has increased enrollment in tertiary institutions, it has also strained existing resources and compromised the quality of education.
During a recent campaign outreach by lecturers to promote the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 manifesto, Professor Ababio highlighted the need for a review of the Free SHS policy.
He noted that the influx of students has overwhelmed universities, leading to overcrowded lecture halls, inadequate infrastructure, and a decline in the quality of teaching and learning.
“The Free SHS policy has increased enrollment, but it has also spelled doom for the entire educational system,” Professor Ababio stated. “Lecture halls are bursting at the seams, and there are insufficient residential facilities to accommodate the growing number of students. This compromises the quality of education, as lecturers struggle to provide adequate attention to each student.”
He further criticized the government for failing to invest in the expansion of tertiary institutions to meet the increased demand.
“Despite the surge in university enrollment, there has been little improvement in infrastructure. This has led to a situation where we are sacrificing quality for quantity,” he added.
