By Ashiadey Dotse
Child Rights International (CRI) has strongly opposed proposals to make parents cover the cost of feeding students under Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
In a statement dated January 11, 2025, the organization highlighted the importance of maintaining the Free SHS program, calling it a transformative initiative that has opened doors to education for many Ghanaian children since its introduction in 2017.
CRI expressed concern that asking parents to provide food and other necessities would go against the core purpose of the Free SHS policy. The program was created to remove financial barriers and ensure all children, regardless of their background, have access to education.
Since its launch, Free SHS has covered tuition, feeding, accommodation, and other costs, benefiting millions of students, especially those from poor families and rural areas. The policy has led to increased school enrollment, reduced dropout rates, and improved literacy levels nationwide.
Despite its success, Free SHS has faced challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, funding delays, and feeding-related issues, raising questions about its sustainability.
CRI, however, insists that reforms should focus on solving these problems without taking away the benefits that make education accessible to all. The group called on stakeholders to protect the program’s goals and ensure no child is left behind.