Free SHS increased school enrollment to 5,587 in Ellembelle District

The implementation government's free SHS program has tremendously increased enrollment in schools in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

Before the start of the Free SHS programme, the total enrolment in the schools in Ellembelle District was 2,482 thus 2016/2017 academic year but with the introduction of the Free SHS programme in 2017/2018, the figure has increased.

The 2017/2018 academic year enrolment was 4,200 students.

In the 2018/2019 academic year, the enrolment further increased to 4,503 students and in the 2019/2020 academic year, it was increased from 4,503 to 5,587 students.

The policy has made it possible for thousands of less privileged students to further their secondary education thereby reducing illiteracy rate in the district.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh who exclusively disclosed this at Bonzo Kaku Senior High School after the March-past of the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Celebration lauded President Akufo-Addo for the introduction of the program.

He stated that the policy had tremendously taken off huge burden from parents in the area of payment of school fees, provision of school uniforms, text books, boarding fees among others in the District.

"The policy has also made it possible for every Junior High School graduate to have access to secondary education. This has tremendously increased enrolment throughout the country", he said.

The DCE said, "analyzing these figures implies that the introduction of Free SHS made the enrolment figures to double in the 2017/18 academic year. It also implies that almost half of the students would not have been able to have access to SHS education without the Free SHS Programme".

He also urged Ghanaians to support the government adding that all hands must be on deck to help government improve the flagship programme.

"...It is therefore incumbent on every Ghana to support Government to consolidate this policy no matter the political party we belong to. All hands should be on deck to support Government not only to continue but to improve on the Free SHS programme. I know for sure that all the children gathered here would want to attend Free SHS and we should endeavor to make them enjoy it when their time comes", he emphasized.

Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh revealed that government was providing the necessary infrastructure to eliminate the Double Track System at the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School, the only school in Ellembelle District currently implementing the system.