The cabinet has approved a proposal to make Senior High School (SHS) education free, compulsory, and universal.
Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum announced this development during an address on the state of education in Ghana.
“Cabinet has approved a proposal to enact a law that will say there shall be free, compulsory, universal secondary education,” Adutwum stated.
This move according to the Minister seeks to ensure that every Ghanaian child has access to secondary education, regardless of their socio-economic background.
He emphasized that the government has mobilized the necessary resources to support this initiative.
“As the government has been able to put together resources, it should be a must for citizens to grab such an opportunity,” Adutwum noted.
He highlighted the importance of education in equipping citizens with the skills needed to thrive in the modern economy.
“The minimum qualification to participate in the industrial revolution cannot be anything below secondary education,” he asserted, stressing the critical role of secondary education in national development.
Adutwum further elaborated on the alignment of Ghana’s educational system with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We are aligning with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is the merger between the physical, electrical, and biological,” he said.
He highlighted the need for advancements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to keep pace with global changes.
“Things are changing in this society. If we don’t move up our numbers and enhance STEM education, it’s going to be very difficult for us to participate in this Fourth Industrial Revolution,” the Minister warned.
The new law is expected to be a game-changer, propelling Ghana into a new era of educational excellence and industrial participation.