Minority criticises government over lack of stakeholder consultation on Free SHS Bill [Video]

The Minority in Parliament has expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of extensive stakeholder consultation and input on the impending Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill.

The Free SHS Bill, 2024, is slated for a Cabinet debate this week.

The bill, currently being drafted by the Ministry of Education (MoE), seeks to provide legal support for the provision of free and compulsory education at the senior high school (SHS) level.

Last Friday, June 28, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, announced that the bill would also propose the separation of junior high school (JHS) from basic school and integrate it into secondary school, thereby extending secondary education to six years.

Another significant proposal in the bill, as shared by the Minister, was the removal of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a prerequisite for gaining admission to the secondary level. Instead, it would be utilised solely for …