Child Rights International (CRI) has expressed concern over calls for parents to bear the cost of feeding and accommodation for students in Senior High Schools due to ongoing challenges with the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
The organization emphasized that such suggestions undermine the foundational principles of the policy, which was designed to provide free and equitable access to secondary education.
“The Free SHS programme was established to eliminate financial barriers and promote inclusivity.”
“Transferring responsibilities like feeding to parents undermines the core intent of the policy and creates inequities it was designed to address,” CRI stated in a press release dated 11 January 2025.
It called on stakeholders to engage directly with the government to resolve logistical challenges rather than shifting responsibilities to parents, many of whom are already grappling with economic hardship.
“Shifting these responsibilities to parents not only deviates from the policy’s framework but also places undue pressure on families. The responsibility for addressing such challenges lies squarely with the implementing authorities,” the organization noted
As of the date of the statement, CRI affirmed that the Free SHS policy remains intact, with no official directive requiring parental contributions.
The organization emphasized that any amendments to the policy must come through formal review and clear communication from the government.
“Protecting a social policy like Free SHS is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders and beneficiaries. When challenges arise, it is crucial to communicate about the policy’s implementation and progression in a manner that prioritizes the welfare of children,” CRI asserted.
CRI also reminded stakeholders of Ghana’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Children’s Act, stressing that decisions affecting children must always prioritize their best interests.
The organization stressed that no child should suffer due to systemic flaws or a lack of basic necessities like food and stressed, “It is our collective duty to ensure that children fully benefit from policies like Free SHS, which are designed to support them.”
CRI reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of children and called for constructive dialogue and effective solutions to address the current challenges while upholding the principles of equity and inclusiveness.
It stressed that every decision that is made must reflect state responsibility to safeguard the rights and welfare of children.