The Minority in Parliament has voiced disappointment over what it perceives as inadequate stakeholder consultation regarding the upcoming Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill, slated for debate in Cabinet this week.

The bill, currently being formulated by the Ministry of Education (MoE), aims to establish legal provisions for free and compulsory education at the senior high school level.

Announced last Friday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the bill includes proposals to extend secondary education to six years by integrating Junior High School (JHS) into the secondary school system.

Additionally, it proposes to modify the role of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), transforming it from an admission requirement to a tool for school selection.

However, concerns have been raised by stakeholders, including education think tank Africa Education Watch, which stated it was not consulted during the bill's drafting process. This lack of consultation has sparked apprehension about the inclusiveness and thoroughness of the bill's development.

In an interview with Citi FM on Monday, July 1, Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Education Committee, expressed disappointment over the absence of stakeholder engagement in the bill's formulation.

“It is unfortunate that such a bill has not been subjected to rigorous stakeholder consultation and inputs. I think that is most unfortunate even as we wait to see the bill and examine its content in full so that we can see whether it meets the requirement that we all expected or not,” Dr. Apaak remarked.

He emphasized the significance of involving all relevant parties to ensure that the Free SHS Bill addresses the diverse needs and concerns within the education sector effectively.