Former President John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reaffirmed his commitment to Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) policy while pledging to improve it if re-elected in the upcoming elections.

Addressing journalists in Accra, Mahama, who previously served as Ghana's President from 2012 to 2017, emphasized the importance of the Free SHS policy in ensuring equal educational opportunities for all Ghanaian students.

“The Free SHS policy has come to stay, and I am committed to improving it,” Mahama stated, dispelling assertions that he opposes the policy and underscoring his stance to enhance it to effectively address current challenges.

Regarding the proposed Free SHS Bill, which is yet to be presented in Parliament, Mahama expressed willingness to support it if aimed at improving and sustaining the policy.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has raised significant concerns about the draft Free SHS Bill currently under parliamentary consideration.

NAGRAT highlighted a lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including teacher unions, in the formulation of the proposed bill. The association expressed disappointment with Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei-Adutwum over plans to separate Junior High School (JHS) from Primary School and abolish the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a prerequisite for SHS admission.

According to NAGRAT, these proposed changes are pivotal and necessitate extensive engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

Mahama's remarks come amidst preparations for the 2024 elections, where education policy, particularly the Free SHS initiative, remains a critical issue of debate and reform in Ghanaian politics. His commitment to enhancing the policy aims to address current shortcomings while ensuring its sustainability for future generations of Ghanaian students.