The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for a comprehensive validation of the data regarding the beneficiaries of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme. He highlighted the importance of accurate statistics to ensure informed policy decisions and effective reforms in the education sector.

Speaking during his first official visit to the Ministry on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, following his swearing-in by President John Dramani Mahama, Iddrisu emphasized, “One of the very first major issues the country must interrogate is the statistical validity of how many Ghanaians have benefited from Free Senior High School.”

The Minister revealed discrepancies between publicly reported figures and his own findings. While parliamentary records suggest that approximately 5.1 million students have benefited from the Free SHS programme, his research estimates the figure to be closer to 3.9 million.

“I am not saying mine is right, but 5.1 million was misleading because I have looked at the numbers from 2017 to 2023, and I am convinced that the number of students who have benefited from the Free SHS policy stands at not more than 3.9 million. But I need a validation of that data to begin with,” he clarified.

Iddrisu stressed that his objective is not to discredit existing records but to establish a credible and accurate baseline for future policymaking. He noted that precise data is essential for evaluating the programme’s impact and shaping the direction of education policy in the country.

As part of his plans to strengthen the education sector, the Minister announced the organization of a National Education Conference. This gathering will serve as a platform to assess the state of education in Ghana and identify actionable reforms. He affirmed that validating the Free SHS data will be a critical component of these discussions.

The Minister’s focus on data integrity reflects his commitment to evidence-based policy making and ensuring that Ghana’s education sector meets the aspirations of its citizens.Source:dailymailgh.com