GNECC applauds Mahama’s commitment to education, calls for collaborative approach to Free SHS policy

The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has expressed its strong support for President John Mahama’s commitment to prioritizing education as a fundamental right, particularly as he addresses challenges in the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

The National Programmes Manager at GNECC, Festus Longmatey, spoke about the importance of ensuring that every child has access to quality education without hindrances.

In an interview with Adom News, Mr. Longmatey began by extending a New Year’s greeting to the public and thanking them for their continued support throughout the previous year.

He then reflected on the coalition’s long-standing advocacy for education, particularly regarding the challenges facing the Free SHS policy.

GNECC has been vocal about the need to re-evaluate the policy’s funding model to ensure its sustainability and quality.

“For us, education is a right. Every child deserves the opportunity to attend school and learn in a conducive environment. Nothing should stop them from being in class, especially when it comes to basic needs, like food. If children miss out on education because they can’t afford meals at school, that’s a serious issue,” he stated.

GNECC had previously raised concerns about the cost of implementing the Free SHS programme, especially regarding the feeding component, which has been a major challenge.

He emphasized that if the government struggles to fully fund the policy, there should be room for parents to step in and support the feeding costs.

“Parents have a responsibility to ensure their children receive a quality education, and if the government can’t bear the full cost, we understand the need for shared responsibility,” he explained.

The coalition was especially pleased with President Mahama’s recent directive to address the food shortage affecting Free SHS students.

“We are happy that the president has taken a decisive step to address the feeding issue. This is a positive move toward ensuring that students can focus on learning without distractions, particularly when it comes to basic needs like food,” Mr. Longmatey added.