Samuel Ayeh-Paye, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the Ayensuano Constituency in the Eastern Region, has praised the government's flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, describing it as highly effective since its inception. He emphasized that the academic achievements of the policy's graduates at various tertiary institutions across the country stand as a testament to its success.
In a recent interview with Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, Mr. Ayeh-Paye expressed his satisfaction with the academic performance of students who have benefitted from the Free SHS policy. He noted that these students have made Ghanaians who believed in the policy proud, dispelling doubts about the initiative’s impact on the quality of education.
“Anyone who claims that the Free SHS policy has compromised the quality of education is entirely wrong because I’m a practical example of its success,” Ayeh-Paye stated during the interview. He further supported his assertion by referencing the academic achievements of his own son, who is a product of the Free SHS policy, as a case study.
The former lawmaker highlighted that lecturers at various universities in Ghana have publicly acknowledged the high academic performance of graduates from the Free SHS program, contradicting criticisms that the policy has lowered educational standards. "This is not hearsay; university lecturers themselves have confirmed that these students are excelling academically," he added.
Despite opposition from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ayeh-Paye believes that the results achieved by students benefiting from the Free SHS policy have proven critics wrong. He urged detractors to reconsider their stance, given the positive outcomes observed in tertiary institutions.
The Free SHS policy, introduced by the NPP government in 2017, aims to provide accessible and affordable secondary education to all Ghanaian students. Since its implementation, the policy has been a subject of intense debate, with supporters highlighting increased enrollment and educational opportunities, while critics argue about the potential decline in educational quality.
However, for Ayeh-Paye and other proponents, the success stories of students who have transitioned from the Free SHS program to excel in higher education institutions affirm the policy’s value and its contribution to Ghana's educational system.
