The government has been called upon to do all it can to sustain the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
Chief executive officer of Mikaddo Holdings Ltd, Nana Dr Michael Agyekum Addo, who made the call also appealed to other stakeholders to help sustain the policy.
Agyekum Addo admitted the central government cannot continue to absorb all the expenses incurred under the Free SHS policy.
The Mikaddo Holdings founder was speaking with Nana Yaa Mensah on the Sunday Night programme on Asaase 99.5 in Accra.
He said, “… to me, the free education – no matter how and its form – it’s up to the government to contain and sustain it.
“If I would wish that we review this Free SHS policy, I will say that day schooling should be encouraged. So that it could cut down the cost of the feeding.”
Agyekum Addo argued, “Every community that has the day school should be able to assist, especially [through] the PTA [parent-teacher associations]. Right now, I hear the government saying ‘nobody should assist. I, the government can take up everything’. [On] that one I beg to differ.”
He added, “Old students and some parents can help the schools, especially with books. So, I think that if there should be any review in that area – food and books – we should encourage others to support.
“When we continue to depend on the government for everything, the government becomes poorer. The private sector should be encouraged to come on board to assist.
“The review needs to be done now so that it can be sustainable … because it is very important for the poor but brilliant students to have this Free SHS education.”
