The issue of whether rich parents should pay their children's school fees at the Senior High School level after the implementation of the free SHS policy has reemerged.
Some Ghanaians are of the view that rich parents must be made to pay for the education of their children under the free SHS programme to help save the policy from collapsing.
If you may recall, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta courted controversy when he made similar comments last year.
Speaking on the subject of funding, the Finance Minister said perhaps the latter school of thought may be the way forward in the long term. He explained that there is no need giving free education to students whose parents can afford it, suggesting the Free SHS programme should cover only those who cannot afford to pay for the educational expenses of their wards.
"On the issue of free education, it may be that there has to be changes about the way we are administering it. I can't take my child to Achimota School or Odorgono and leave him or her there and don't pay anything when I can pay for 10 people,” Mr. Ofori-Atta said on Citi TV's Point of View Programme at the time.
Touching on the issue during a discussion on Monday's edition of 'Kokrokoo', the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Adutwum said even though there are no regulations, parents who can afford can willingly pay for their kids.
"If you take your child to school and you write a cheque to help the free SHS policy, we will be grateful; if someone wants to pay, why not? we will appreciate. I will personally call to thank you," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi.
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Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
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How would we measure the rich and the poor? The only way this can work is, when the child refused to pay his or her school fees then it mean he or she comes from a very poor family, because no rich man would not allow his ward to face such humiliations in school for not paying his fees. Even their fees should be divided into two categories; one for CMB Scholarship and other for Government scholarship as it was in those days. So that the most brilliants students should enjoy the CMB Scholarship with full payment whereas the Government scholarship should be that of paying only the feeding fees apart from social amenities.
How would we measure the rich and the poor? What makes a person rich and what qualifies a person to be poor and therefore benefit from free SHS?
I think the government must have a second look at this policy . Just this afternoon I had a call from my daughter who's in one of the prestigious girls schools in Central Region that since the form 3s completed, their menu has totally cr hanged. Now everyday they eat unpalatable sakora gari and beans unlike before . Now they eat rice and some watery stew with 10 pple sharing 2 pieces of pathetic fish. I'm sure in this instance , no parent will hesitate to pay let's say 200 cedis for the child to be fed well . The government should allow us to contribute 200 cedis to support our children's feeding esp. those in the elite schools. My opinion !
he is just being cheeky. time will tell
Reality will catch up with Nana and his Npp sooner than later and they will realise that is of no use to promise things you can't do,but better be truthful and walk according the rules of life hence, realities and of time and events.Mahama told you so
What the Deputy Minister is saying is very simple. Those who are rich and ready to pay SHS fees could either orgainse themselves and create a special account, pay monies into it and help the SHS system. Or go to the schools their children are attending, pay money to the school as school fees or PTA contribution. Such people will be easily recognised and appreciated. There are so many poor people benefiting from the Free ShS. Please help them to help themselves.
If i pay will my ward be taken good care of or be given good food?
He is not saying that parents must pay. He said, if you want to pay that make it optional not compulsory. Please remember the word "IF".
Na wei so so so y3 plan b3n ?
Sad. U never listen to voice of reason, even your members admonished u but pride. U see how u are struggling with this policy