Gov’t must focus on quality everywhere, not categorisation of public schools – Ben Boakye
Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Ben Boakye, has urged the government to focus on improving the quality of education in every senior high school rather than placing too much emphasis on the categorisation of schools.
Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), has urged the government to prioritize improving the quality of education in all senior high schools instead of focusing on categorizing them. During a discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile on September 12, Mr Boakye emphasized that the debate surrounding the Senior High School (SHS) placement system should not be centered solely on the classification of schools into Category A, B, or C. Instead, he argued that the government should ensure that every school has the necessary teachers, facilities, and support to provide quality education.
Mr Boakye highlighted the importance of addressing short, medium, and long-term issues related to the SHS placement crisis. He questioned the value of categorizing schools without simultaneously improving the quality of education across all levels, stating that maintaining such a system does not make sense. He suggested that the government should focus on ensuring that schools have capable teachers who can provide the necessary education and training to students.
While acknowledging that parents and students may have strong preferences for certain schools, Mr Boakye maintained that these preferences should not dictate the government's education priorities. He emphasized the need for a broader approach to assessing students, particularly at the Junior High School (JHS) level, and prioritizing ensuring every child attends school and develops their abilities.
Boakye argued that children develop at different rates, and strong performance at the JHS level does not necessarily determine future academic success. He called for an education system that provides equal opportunities for all students to grow and become productive members of society. Improving the quality of education in all secondary schools should be a shared priority, as most teachers are graduates and should be supported to deliver effectively.
Effective monitoring could also help ensure that schools meet the required standards, according to Mr Boakye.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
