Pre-tertiary teacher unions have urged the Ministry of Education to halt the progress of the Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill and engage in broader consultations.
The unions believe the focus should be on creating an Act to fund free SHS rather than legislating the policy itself.
This call comes as the government plans to introduce a bill ensuring the Free SHS policy cannot be canceled by future administrations, providing it with legal backing to guarantee its continuity.
The bill is currently under review by the Cabinet and is expected to be presented to Parliament soon.
The teacher unions are concerned that the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, intends to proceed without seeking their input.
As the unions will be responsible for implementing the policy, they argue it is essential for them to be consulted to provide valuable insights and suggestions.
Deputy Secretary for the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Patrick Sackey, expressed the union’s worries during a discussion with Agya Owusu-Ansah on Hot 93.9 FM’s Morning Drive.
Sackey emphasized the importance of involving those who will execute the policy in the decision-making process to ensure its success and sustainability.
The unions’ request highlights the need for inclusive dialogue in shaping educational policies that affect stakeholders directly involved in their implementation.
By suspending the bill and fostering broader consultations, the unions hope to contribute to a more robust and effective free SHS policy framework.
