Minority denies opposing the Free SHS Bill, instead calling for educational reforms.

The Minority caucus has clarified its stance on the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill, emphasizing that they do not oppose the initiative. Instead, they are urging the government to address existing challenges within the educational sector.

This clarification follows accusations by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that the Minority caucus opposes the proposed bill aimed at regulating the Free SHS intervention and ensuring its sustainability across future administrations.

Afenyo-Markin disclosed that the bill has received executive approval and will be presented to the House by Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.

Addressing journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, Afenyo-Markin called on the Minority to provide explanations for their stance on the bill.

However, in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, clarified that while the bill had not yet been laid before the house, the Minority had expressed their commitment to it.

Dr. Apaak emphasized that the focus for the Majority and the government should be on addressing the challenges within the educational sector, rather than spreading misinformation.

“We in the NDC have never opposed the Free SHS policy… So, I fail to understand why the NPP, and now the Majority Leader, are attempting to resurrect old and debunked propaganda that we are against the policy and would cancel it if given the opportunity,” Dr. Apaak stated.

“We have never made such a statement at any time. It was the Majority Leader who informed the public through the parliamentary press corps on June 11, 2024, that the government would introduce a bill on the Free SHS policy to ensure that future administrations uphold and implement the policy,” he added.