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Kingsley Nyarko Calls for Timely Free SHS Funding and Greater Investment in Education
Kwadaso MP urges government to address funding and infrastructure challenges while protecting access to secondary education
By:Justice Baffour Awuah/ DailyWatchGH.com
Former Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency,Hon. Dr.Kingsley Nyarko,has called on the government to ensure the timely release of funds for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme while sustaining investment in Ghana’s education sector.
Dr. Nyarko specifically appealed to the Minister for Finance,Hon.Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson,to ensure that funds allocated to the Free SHS programme are released promptly to support its smooth and effective implementation.
His call comes amid broader discussions about the financing and sustainability of the Free SHS policy,which has significantly expanded access to secondary education since its introduction.
Speaking during the commissioning of a six-unit classroom block at the Nyankyerenease Methodist Basic School,Dr. Nyarko stressed that education must remain a major priority for every government,given its importance to the development of the country’s human capital.
Education as a Right
According to the Kwadaso MP,access to education should not be determined by a family’s ability to pay.
He urged the government to ensure that financial or administrative challenges within the education sector do not create additional barriers for students seeking to access secondary education.
“Education is a right of every Ghanaian child and must not be treated as a privilege,” Dr.Nyarko emphasised.
He said governments have a responsibility to address challenges within the education sector and ensure that students,teachers and educational institutions receive the necessary resources to facilitate effective teaching and learning.
The MP also called for greater attention to the welfare and future prospects of Ghanaian young people,describing investment in education as a critical foundation for national development.
Funding and Sustainability
Dr.Nyarko further stressed the need for adequate and predictable financing to sustain educational programmes and prevent funding challenges from affecting students and schools.
He said while governments may face competing demands on public resources,education must continue to receive the attention and financial commitment necessary to protect access and maintain quality.
He therefore appealed to the government to prioritise the timely release of funds for Free SHS and other educational programmes,while also exploring sustainable approaches to financing the sector in the long term.
Infrastructure Challenges
The former Deputy Education Minister also drew attention to infrastructure challenges confronting some schools across the country.
He noted that inadequate classrooms and other essential facilities can place considerable pressure on schools and negatively affect the learning environment.
Using the newly commissioned six-unit classroom block at Nyankyerenease Methodist Basic School as an example, Dr.Nyarko stressed the importance of continued investment in educational infrastructure at both the basic and secondary levels.
He called for increased attention to the provision of classrooms,laboratories,libraries,sanitation facilities and other essential infrastructure required to support quality teaching and learning.
Protecting Access to Education
Dr. Nyarko’s comments form part of the wider public discussion about how best to finance and sustain the Free SHS programme while addressing other pressing needs within Ghana’s education sector.
He cautioned that political disagreements should not overshadow the need to provide essential educational services and urged policymakers to focus on practical measures that directly benefit students,teachers and schools.
He maintained that governments should be assessed not only on their policy commitments but also on how effectively those commitments translate into improved conditions and opportunities for citizens.
The Kwadaso MP therefore encouraged the government to continue working to address funding pressures and infrastructure gaps while ensuring that access to secondary education remains protected.
As stakeholders continue to debate the long-term financing and sustainability of Free SHS,Dr.Nyarko said sustained investment,timely funding and improved infrastructure would be essential to strengthening Ghana’s education system and securing better opportunities for the country’s young people.
Speaking on behalf of the school,the Headmistress of Nyankyerenease Methodist Basic School,Nana Yaa Owusuwaa Appiagyei,commended Hon. Dr. Kingsley Nyarko for his intervention and continued efforts to promote education.
She expressed appreciation for the newly provided infrastructure and appealed for additional support,particularly the construction of a fence wall,to strengthen security and improve the safety of pupils and staff.
