Free SHS: ‘No repetition’ rule fostering student complacency, teacher apathy – CPS

The Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS) has discovered that the "no repetition" rule, limitations on discipline, and the auto-placement system of Ghana's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy have unintentionally led to student laxness and teacher disinterest, a study spanning nine years of the program revealed. Dr Jacob Oppong Nkansah, a lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, discussed the study's results, noting that the "no repetition" rule had diminished consequences for subpar academic performance, potentially decreasing student motivation to study and behave responsibly.

Furthermore, the study highlighted the drawbacks of restricted corporal punishment and strict disciplinary guidelines for teachers and school management. These constraints, which were meant to safeguard students, have limited the disciplinary actions available to school authorities when handling misconduct, possibly resulting in teacher disinterest in enforcing discipline.

Additionally, the CPS study brought attention to the misuse of government-provided tablets by some senior high school students. While the tablets were meant to enhance teaching and learning, they are increasingly being linked to disciplinary problems in certain schools, adding another layer of difficulty for schools in maintaining discipline and ensuring that technology is utilized for its intended educational purpose.