Free SHS has increased SHS enrolment but poorly targeted – IMF

Citing the increase in second-cycle school enrolment among others as the benefit of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy introduced in 2017, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the programme is poorly targeted.

In a report released ahead of the approval of the country’s $3 billion bailout, it said “The flagship Free Senior High School, which covers the full cost of secondary education, has helped increase enrolment but is poorly targeted.”

Despite spending almost 4 per cent of Gross domestic product (GDP) on education with good results in terms of student enrolment, the United States-based financial agency said the country’s learning outcomes are poor.

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) comment on the Free SHS policy comes after its executive board approved a long-awaited $3 billion bailout for Ghana in hopes of battling the country’s worsening economic crisis.

The arrangement will allow for the immediate release of $600 million, with the remaining funds to be made available over the course of the next three years, the International Monetary Fund said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Free Senior High School (Free SHS) education policy is a government initiative introduced in 2017 September by President Nana Akufo-Addo to enable qualified BECE students to continue their secondary education at no cost.

The policy’s core themes of access, equity and equality fulfil the United Nations modified Sustainable Development Goals, where member countries amalgamate those themes in their educational systems to certify adequate learning experiences for students.