Dr. Hilda Mantebea Boye, the President of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, has said that government should engage stakeholders to review free SHS.
While acknowledging the considerable successes of the policy, Dr. Boye highlighted recent concerns raised by various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and beneficiaries, suggesting that these concerns necessitate a re-evaluation of the policy’s effectiveness.
Speaking during the JoyNews’ National Dialogue on the Free SHS Promise, Dr. Boye emphasized the importance of bringing together all relevant stakeholders to discuss the challenges faced and chart a way forward. She stressed the need for transparency and openness in addressing these issues, particularly regarding the quality of meals provided to students and other implementation challenges.
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Dr. Boye also noted that the policy should have undergone pilot stages before full-scale implementation to mitigate potential problems. She emphasized the importance of consultation and inclusivity in policy-making, especially when dealing with matters as crucial as education access.
Furthermore, Dr. Boye highlighted the reluctance of some individuals to speak openly about their concerns, citing fear of repercussions. She advocated for a platform where all voices could be heard and considered in finding solutions to the challenges facing the Free SHS policy.
In conclusion, Dr. Boye’s call for stakeholder engagement and review underscores the importance of continuous evaluation and improvement in educational policies to ensure they effectively serve the needs of all stakeholders involved.
“Have the right people, all stakeholders, together to have conversations. Definitely, everybody wants all children to have good access to education. We want them to be able to do well. But then parents are stakeholders”
“Teachers are stakeholders. The government is also a major stakeholder. We are seeing that these are some of the problems that are coming out of this policy that has been implemented over the years. How do we move forward from here” she said.