The cost of free education in Ghana: Citi-fm debate

As voters prepare to go to the polls in December, education has become a central issue of the upcoming election. Both parties have endorsed plans for the future of students, teachers and institutions.

The NPP has promised free universal secondary schooling as a principal part of their platform. Their proposal has an estimated price-tag of 140 million Ghana cedis, and the design has many wondering if free is really the most effective answer.

With this question in mind, Citi 97.3 fm hosted a roundtable discussion at the Alisa Hotel in North Ridge- Accra. Host of Citi-fm’s Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle, moderated the conversation between the crowd of invited guests and prominent education policymakers, including Deputy Education Minister Mahama Ayariga who was present at the debate.

“Free is not always the best answer. We need to improve the quality,” said the Deputy Minister. “Access to schools isn’t the problem. Assuring students receive an education worth attending is our focus.”

Mr. Ayariga said many social factors converge to ensure a quality education, and some of these begin at home. “If a student has eaten breakfast: if teachers show up and engage the classroom.”

The Deputy Minister says teacher accountability encourages quality and cannot be overlooked when crafting an effective education policy.

However, for many, access was a critical part of the discourse.  “Students who have been accepted into schools should be able to attend. Right now, many can’t because the school in their area is full and it is too far to travel to one with room,” said Leslie Tettey of the Ghana National education coalition. Many students who are accepted to SHS programmes are unable to continue their education due to the cost or unavailability of schools in their area.

Many Ghanaian classrooms are strained by student density, lack of resources and crumbling infrastructure. Many teachers have more than 45 students in their class every day. This far exceeds international standard (25-30 students per teacher) and may damage the quality of education for all. These factors have sent many running from Ghana’s public education system.  Public JHS has an enrolment rate near 70%, but enrolment in SHS is estimated at a dismally low 20%.

“We have many serious problems we need to address. Access to schools and quality being critical,” says Kofi Twum-Barimah, a retired financial executive and concerned grandparent. “We need to get the children selling pure water off the street and into the classroom.”**

source: B&FT