NDC SUPPORTERS ROAST SETH TERKPER OVER FREE SHS
Even with the John Mahama administration yet to take over the reign of governance, the conversation on whether to review or maintain the Free SHS policy introduced by the Akufo-Addo led administration seem to be dividing the NDC. This follows recent comments by former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper on the possibility of the government ensuring that only needy day students will benefit from the policy.
Mr. Terkper who was a guest on Accra-based TV3 disclosed that, government budget cannot support the policy which has been in existence since September 2017.
Terkper said, “Those in the diaspora, please you need to come into this discussion. Secondary education is free in Europe, and secondary education is free in the US, but they are day schools. The best government is doing, for instance in the US, is to put in yellow buses which you have to stop to give priority to the buses to take the kids to school.”
He further explained that boarding schools in rich developed countries are typically attended by the elite who can afford the high costs, or by talented students who receive scholarships. “Why don’t we follow their examples? What makes us think that we should support free SHS unfettered? Unfettered in the sense that the government takes every cost.
This comment did not go down well with some members of the NDC who took to social media to express their frustrations. One user with the name “The Abby Awuni” wrote, ” How I am watching Seth Terkper”, another user with the name Dr. Frank Amoakohene had this to say, “Where was Seth Terkper when we were struggling to win elections? And why is he now setting us up for controversies? Those closer to him should respectfully advise the statesman.