Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister-Designate for Education, has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to reviewing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 20, Iddrisu clarified that the government has no intention of canceling the policy, but instead plans to make it more sustainable and broaden its scope to benefit more Ghanaians.
The Free SHS policy, introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration, was a central theme in President Mahama’s 2024 election campaign, where he pledged to refine and improve it if elected. Iddrisu emphasized that the review is aimed at enhancing the policy’s impact and ensuring its long-term viability.
“The President has no intention to cancel Free SHS,” Iddrisu assured the committee. “Instead, he plans to expand it and make it more sustainable. We will subject the policy to a review to ensure it benefits more Ghanaians.”
As part of the review process, the government plans to convene a stakeholder forum to gather insights and recommendations from experts and stakeholders in the education sector. This move is seen as a positive step towards improving the policy and ensuring its effectiveness.
Iddrisu’s statement has provided clarity on the government’s intentions regarding the Free SHS policy, alleviating concerns that it may be canceled. With the review process underway, Ghanaians can expect a more refined and effective policy that benefits the nation’s youth.