A Demi-Decade of Ghana's Free Senior High School Policy Implementation: Evaluating the 'Pillars' of the Policy

Abstract

To fulfill Sustainable Development Goal 4.1 (SDG 4.1), (Angeles et al., 2022) stated that all students must complete free, equitable, high-quality primary and secondary education that results in relevant and effective learning outcomes. SDG 4.1 is a requirement of Ghana's 1992 constitution article 25(1) (b), which mandated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to implement the Free SHS Policy in 2017. The policy has continued for half a decade, with over 1.2 million Ghanaian Senior High School students benefiting since its implementation in 2017.  The policy is anchored on what the policy document refers to as 'Pillars,' which are removing cost barriers, expanding infrastructure, improving quality and equity, and developing employable skills.This evaluation exercise provided a thorough examination of the Free SHS Policy's 'pillars' using the analysis of existing documents approach and qualitative interviews to understand the eligibility criteria, the impact of the policy, and what needs to be maintained or changed, as well as making recommendations for the policy implementers. The evaluator interviewed key stakeholders, such as beneficiary students, beneficiary parents, head teachers, teachers, and teacher union executives, to answer the evaluation questions.Some of the key findings of the policy include inadequate consultations of stakeholders of Ghana's education, an increase in enrolment, removal of cost barriers on parents, inadequate infrastructure, financial difficulties placed on the economy of Ghana due to the implementation of the policy, and a high percentage call for review of the policy. The evaluation activity recommends equal priority to all policy aspects and a review of the policy to involve all stakeholders. The passing of a law to protect the policy from political interference, the government ensuring subventions are made quickly to the head teachers, introducing public-private partnerships (PPP), and securing other funding sources to run the Free SHS Policy.

Keywords: Free Senior High School Policy; Equity; Access; Quality, Cost barriers; Infrastructure.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-36-01

Publication date: December 31^st 2023