Omanghana
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has dismissed claims by New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that the Free Senior High School programme is deteriorating under the National Democratic Congress government.
The minister maintained that the programme continues to receive government support, saying Bawumia’s assessment did not reflect current conditions in schools. He suggested that the former Vice President may have been misinformed, particularly about feeding arrangements and the assistance available to students.
His response follows remarks by Bawumia at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, where he criticised the government’s management of Free SHS and argued that its implementation had suffered setbacks.
Iddrisu countered that some of the operational difficulties predated the current administration. He said those inherited problems had prompted the government to review how the programme was being implemented.
Addressing concerns about meals, the minister said President John Dramani Mahama’s administration had revised the funding arrangements for school feeding. According to him, uncapping the Ghana Education Trust Fund had made additional resources available and improved food supplies to senior high schools nationwide.
Iddrisu urged Bawumia to reconsider his claims, maintaining that the government was working to strengthen the programme and ensure that beneficiaries received the support needed to complete their education.
Source: Omanghana
