Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has unveiled extensive plans to upgrade the Free Senior High School (SHS) program if he wins the election.

His proposed enhancements encompass upgrading infrastructure, securing reliable funding, and tackling existing challenges within the program.

He shared these details during the NDC manifesto presentation on August 12.

“We shall decentralize the procurement of food and other supplies to the headmaster's school basis. In order to improve the quality of food and also boost the local economies in the district where the schools are located. We shall expand access by building more infrastructure in existing secondary schools, and we shall dedicate funding to completing the E blocks in order that more children can have the opportunity to go to school.”

“We will abolish the double track system so that all our children can go to school at the same time and vacate at the same time. Our kids will not come and stay at home for four months and go to school, having forgotten everything they learnt in the previous term,” he said.

To tackle financial obstacles for tertiary students, Mr. Mahama revealed plans to collaborate with the private sector to create affordable on-campus housing.

“My government will partner with the private sector to demarcate a portion of the vast tracts of land that the universities are holding to construct hostels for students on campus at reasonable rates and thereby address the accommodation challenges that students are facing.”

“The professional institutions of architects and engineers will be engaged to provide uniform design and the costing of the hostels that will be built on all campuses, and that will be under our programme of "bed for all" for all students to be able to stay on campus.”

To provide additional assistance to students, Mr. Mahama introduced the ‘No Fee Stress Initiative,’ aimed at providing financial support through the Student Loan Trust Fund (STLF).

Moreover, he criticized the current administration's inconsistent recruitment methods and pledged to establish ongoing recruitment for teachers and nurses, especially in underserved regions.

“We deplore the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration's practice of opening recruitment portals only when elections are due. We will implement a policy of continuously recruiting teachers and nurses, especially in underserved areas."

Regarding teacher training, Mahama announced his intention to eliminate the Teacher Licensure Examination.

“We will make teacher licensing a part of the final year programme in the college of education. The John and Jane administration will implement strategies to address teacher accommodation challenges in rural areas, offering incentives to encourage them to accept postings in these underserved regions,” he said.