The Catholic Church has urged the government to revisit the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to address inefficiencies and establish sustainable funding for quality education in Ghana.
This recommendation was a key resolution from the Second Catholic National Education Forum, held in Koforidua, where Catholic bishops, educators, and policymakers convened to discuss the future of education in the country.
While acknowledging the Free SHS policy’s positive impact on increasing enrollment and expanding access to secondary education, the Church highlighted challenges such as the double-track system, inadequate infrastructure, a lack of essential learning materials, and declining discipline in schools.
Church leaders emphasized the need for a structured approach to enhance education quality under Free SHS and called on the government to assess the policy’s effectiveness.
They recommended adjustments to ensure students receive a well-rounded, disciplined, and resource-rich education.
In a statement signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, one major proposal was a reassessment of parents’ role in funding education. While acknowledging free education as a commendable initiative, the Church suggested that parents should contribute to their children’s education without facing excessive financial burdens.
The forum proposed that parents help fund specific non-tuition costs, including school feeding programs, infrastructure maintenance, and extracurricular activities, to enhance the learning environment.
Additionally, the Church called for stakeholder consultations involving the government, religious organizations, parents, and education experts to develop a sustainable model that ensures quality education remains accessible and affordable.
The Catholic Church also reiterated the need for stronger collaboration between the government and mission schools. It urged the government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Church to formalize its role in managing Catholic schools, particularly in regaining authority over staffing and administration.
With the 2025/2026 academic year approaching, the Church hopes that policymakers will seriously consider these recommendations to address the challenges within the Free SHS system and enhance the overall quality of education in Ghana.
