Assessing the Free Senior High School Education on Science Learning in Ghana

• Main Authors: Abdallah Salifu, Abukar Ayamba
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Africa Development and Resources Research Institute (ADRRI) 2018-01-01
• Series: Journal of Arts and Social Sciences
• Online Access: https://journals.adrri.org/index.php/adrrijass/article/view/409

The education layout in Ghana today is the result of the commitment made by the past and present governments on major policy initiatives in education. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of free Senior High School (SHS) policy on science education in Ghana-its benefits and challenges to science education. The design of the study was a survey and Data was sourced through primary (eg. interviews) and secondary sources (eg. internet). The target population was all stake holders of Public SHS in Tamale. The sample population comprised science teachers, laboratory technicians and students of public SHS in Tamale. The members of the accessible groups were randomly selected for the interview to obtain the qualitative data. Quantitative data were obtained from the internet. Preliminary projections, predicted enrollment increase of 80,000(950,000 in 2017/2018 against an estimated figure of 870,000 in 2016/2017) (Ghanaweb, 2017). Some burdens on parents have been reduced; improved employment outcomes, earnings, and health, lower rates of teenage pregnancy, and better child health outcomes. Some of the challenges witnessed in the implementation include: Pressure on the infrastructure (Science laboratories, Dormitories, Classrooms, Dining hall, Assemble halls, etc) ; utilities (electricity and water); teaching and non-teaching staff; IMF and other aid agencies all over the world and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who are into education and poverty reduction in the communities and all stakeholders in GES should all put their hands on deck to help government of Ghana, for the program to succeed.