Free SHS faced hurdles, but its impact is undeniable – Ntim Fordjour

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has shared his thoughts on the successes and hurdles of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, a crucial initiative he was involved in during his tenure as Deputy Minister for Education.

Reflecting on this groundbreaking education program, he stated, “We did our best with Free SHS. We take pride in what we achieved. The policy offered equal educational opportunities regardless of financial situations, marking a significant milestone.”

However, he acknowledged that the implementation was not without its shortcomings. “In hindsight, one area we could have improved was the prompt transfer of funds to schools. Delays in funding created some operational challenges, and we recognize our role in that.”

Rev. Fordjour also discussed the controversial feeding component of the policy. He noted that while the opposition initially promised to decentralize food procurement to empower headmasters, they ultimately reverted to a centralized system.

“There were challenges with food supply, which resulted in some friction in school management.”

Despite the criticisms, he remains firm in his belief in the policy’s long-term benefits. “Enrollment numbers rose significantly. Many students who might have dropped out due to financial issues continued their education. That’s the kind of impact that matters more than political debates.”

While he is proud of the results, Rev. Fordjour emphasized the need for continuous assessment and improvement. “Every major policy encounters initial challenges. The important thing is to learn from those experiences and work towards betterment.

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has shared his thoughts on the successes and hurdles of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, a crucial initiative he was involved in during his tenure as Deputy Minister for Education.

Reflecting on this groundbreaking education program, he stated, “We did our best with Free SHS. We take pride in what we achieved. The policy offered equal educational opportunities regardless of financial situations, marking a significant milestone.”

However, he acknowledged that the implementation was not without its shortcomings. “In hindsight, one area we could have improved was the prompt transfer of funds to schools. Delays in funding created some operational challenges, and we recognize our role in that.”

Rev. Fordjour also discussed the controversial feeding component of the policy. He noted that while the opposition initially promised to decentralize food procurement to empower headmasters, they ultimately reverted to a centralized system.

“There were challenges with food supply, which resulted in some friction in school management.”

Despite the criticisms, he remains firm in his belief in the policy’s long-term benefits. “Enrollment numbers rose significantly. Many students who might have dropped out due to financial issues continued their education. That’s the kind of impact that matters more than political debates.”

While he is proud of the results, Rev. Fordjour emphasized the need for continuous assessment and improvement. “Every major policy encounters initial challenges. The important thing is to learn from those experiences and work towards betterment.