Is Free SHS really free? What new research found
Free Senior High School (Free SHS) helped a generation of Ghanaian families send their children to secondary school without paying tuition.
A new review of Ghana's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, conducted in 2026, has uncovered a more complex reality than initially perceived. While Free SHS has enabled many families to afford secondary education for their children, it has also introduced hidden costs and inequities that threaten its sustainability. The policy is deeply connected to politics, lacking a solid foundation and facing constant changes with each government shift.
Key issues include insufficient funding, inadequate resources in lower-category schools, indiscipline among students, and distrust in the system due to opaque decision-making processes. Researchers recommend legalizing the definition of "free," creating a national data dashboard, balancing resources toward under-resourced schools, improving curriculum with digital learning tools, and fostering transparent governance among stakeholders.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
