Schools under trees, the unsustainability of Free SHS, and infrastructural deficits at basic level are still major challenges
Schools under trees, the unsustainability of Free SHS, and infrastructural deficits at basic level are still major challenges.
Rather than channelling the oil revenue into financing the fulfilment of a political campaign pledge, the “No Fess Stress” policy, the government must invest the money in addressing the challenges of schools under trees, infrastructural deficit at the basic level and also the free senior high school programme, the Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), has said.
CenPOA was responding to a proposal by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to allocate 2.5% of Ghana’s oil revenue to fund the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) “No Fees Stress” policy for tertiary education.
The Education Minister proposed while speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Students Loan Trust Fund on Friday, September 5.
He cautioned that relying solely on the GETFund would be inadequate.
The policy, designed to ease the financial burden of tertiary education, has come under scrutiny from analysts who describe it as politically appealing but fiscally fragile without a clear funding framework.
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But in a statement reacting to this idea, CenPOA said that “At present, Ghana continues to grapple with challenges such as schools operating under trees, infrastructural deficits at the basic level, and the sustainability of the Free SHS program itself.
“Diverting scarce oil revenues to fund tertiary education under the ‘No Fees Stress’ initiative risks worsening these pressing concerns. CenPOA views this proposal more as a populist promise aimed at electoral gains than as a deliberate, pragmatic policy for long-term national development.
Rather than channelling vital oil revenues into free tertiary education, CenPOA believes the government should prioritise investing in sustainable industries and job creation.
“With thousands of unemployed graduates already struggling to find work, expanding productive sectors of the economy will not only provide employment but also generate real demand for tertiary education in a manner that is sustainable and growth-driven.”
CenPOA urged policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public to approach such proposals with caution, focusing instead on strengthening foundational education and creating an enabling environment for economic growth.
