The Minority in Parliament says it is not opposed to any bill aimed at binding future governments into implementing the free senior high school policy.
Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Ranking on the Education Committee of Parliament, stated that National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama has constantly described the policy as good.
The only point of dispute is how the current government is implementing the project.
According to Dr. Apaak, the policy faces a number of challenges, including inadequate academic and residential infrastructure, insufficient and low-quality food, insufficient furniture, and an unpredictable academic schedule, among others.
He indicated that former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to address these challenges to make FSHS better; hence, it makes no sense for anyone to claim that the NDC was against the policy or a bill to make it better.
The statement comes after Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced a decision by the government to submit before Parliament a bill on FSHS.
At a Leaders’ Media Briefing on Tuesday, June 11, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, revealed that the bill seeks to make the policy more effective and sustainable, aligning with the aspirations outlined in Chapter 5 of the Constitution.
He explained that while these provisions are not enforceable by law, the government aims to make them justifiable through legislation.
Dr. Apaak, reacting to this, said his side awaits the bill to be submitted, so they will scrutinise it, but stressed that they are not against it.
“So, while we wait to see the proposed bill and examine its contents in detail, in principle, we have no challenge supporting a bill seeking to ensure its future.”
Dr. Apaak dismissed allegations that former President Mahama would collapse the free SHS policy, stating that Mahama would not have wasted time engaging CHASS to solicit their views on ways to address challenges affecting the policy’s implementation.
He stated that Mahama had held a successful meeting with CHASS leadership on May 8, 2024, and all stakeholders on ways to make FSHS better.
“We are not opposed to FSHS and therefore can not be opposed to a proposed bill to bind future government to it. As John Dramani Mahama noted during his meeting with the national leadership of CHASS on May 8th, 2024, he will work with them and all stakeholders to make FSHS better.”
Read the fulls statement below;
WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO A BILL ON FSHS BILL
We are not opposed to FSHS and therefore can not be opposed to a proposed bill to bind future government to it. As John Dramani Mahama noted during his meeting with the national leadership of CHASS on May 8th, 2024, he will work with them and all stakeholders to make FSHS better.
Our Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has indicated time without number that, the FSHS policy is a good policy bedevilled with implementation challenges: inadequate academic and residential infrastructure; inadequate and poor quality food; inadequate furniture; erratic academic calendar, among others. John Dramani Mahama has pledged to address these challenges to make FSHS better.
So, while we wait to see the proposed bill and examine its contents in detail, in principle, we have no challenge supporting a bill seeking to ensure its future.
Dr. Clement Apaak
MP, Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member, Education Committee of Parliament
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
