Fees must be paid by parents of students in Category “A” SHS
The new headmaster of Oda Senior High School (ODASCO), Eric Amoah, has proposed a controversial yet thought-provoking payment system for students attending different categories of Senior High Schools (SHSs) in Ghana.
Addressing stakeholders at his induction service last Friday at Akyem Oda, Mr. Amoah suggested that from next year, parents whose children choose Category ‘A’ SHSs should bear the full financial responsibility, while those in Category ‘B’ would pay for specific costs such as accommodation and feeding. On the other hand, students in Category ‘C’ schools would continue to benefit fully from the government’s Free SHS policy.
Mr. Amoah, who is also the National President of the Agriculture Teachers Association of Ghana, explained that this approach might sound controversial, but if implemented effectively, it could generate the financial resources needed to develop schools in Categories ‘B’ and ‘C’.
These funds would be used to improve infrastructure and overall quality in these institutions. He further proposed that schools in Category ‘B’ that excel in academics and discipline, and have the appropriate infrastructure, should be promoted to Category ‘A’ status every year.
“This my proposal may sound discriminating and controversial, but if fine-tuned and implemented well, these financial resources gathered from the Category ‘A’ schools would be used to develop Categories ‘B’ and ‘C’ institutions so that every year at least three schools in Category ‘B’ that excel in academics and discipline and have the right infrastructure are promoted from Category ‘B’ to ‘A,” Mr. Amoah remarked.
Mr. Amoah emphasized that this model would encourage more schools to strive for excellence and higher standards, moving away from the current system where a small number of schools maintain Category ‘A’ status for years. He suggested that this financial model would also ensure that no school is left behind in terms of infrastructural development, making the educational system more equitable across all categories.
The headmaster’s proposal has sparked debate about the affordability of education and the potential challenges it may pose for families with limited resources. However, Mr. Amoah believes that by tying the choice of school to the ability to pay, the system would promote healthy competition and excellence among schools, particularly those in the underserved areas.
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In addition to his financial proposal, Mr. Amoah, who is also the lead writer of the Agricultural Science section of the new curriculum, called for collaboration between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Education. He urged that schools with arable lands be supported to engage in large-scale farming, not only to aid the school feeding program but also to serve as practical learning centers for students interested in agriculture.
As an advocate for agricultural education, Mr. Amoah expressed concern about the rush to implement the new SHS curriculum. He advised President John Mahama to take a measured approach to ensure that the curriculum is well-prepared before its rollout, to avoid adding to the challenges already faced by the education sector.
The headmaster also highlighted that the school staff, in collaboration with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), has launched Saturday intervention classes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as part of efforts to achieve academic excellence.
Additionally, Mr. Amoah noted that there is currently no Category ‘A’ SHS in the entire Akyemansa enclave and promised to work diligently to ensure that ODASCO attains Category ‘A’ status by the time the school celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2030.
During the event, Member of Parliament for Oda, Mr. Alexander Akwasi Acquah, an old student of ODASCO, pledged to support the development of the school. He shared that he had personally funded the reroofing of the girls’ dormitory block, which had previously suffered damage.
The induction ceremony, which was jointly chaired by the Principal of Methodist College of Education, Very Rev. Solomon Kwame Gyamerah, and the Principal of Oda Community Health Training College, Dr. Jones Baah-Abekah, was attended by a number of dignitaries and community members.
With Mr. Amoah’s ambitious plans and the continued support of the local community, ODASCO is poised to see significant improvements in the coming years. The proposed reforms, if implemented, could set a precedent for how schools in Ghana’s various categories are supported and developed, potentially reshaping the future of the country’s education system.
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