Free SHS Will Not Be Canceled – Dafeamekpor Assures

Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to sustaining the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, initially introduced by the Akufo-Addo government.

In an interview on Face to Face on Channel One TV with host Umaru Sanda Amadu, the South Dayi MP clarified that the Free SHS initiative is here to stay and will not be scrapped. He further revealed that the necessary legislation to support the policy will soon be reintroduced in Parliament.

“The Free SHS Bill is to be relaid. It was previously introduced, but time lapsed before it could be passed. I’ve reviewed it, and I don’t expect many changes when it’s brought back,” Dafeamekpor stated.

When asked whether a future Mahama-led government would cancel the Free SHS policy, Dafeamekpor responded emphatically: “Not at all. Why would you do that?”

In a related development, the Mahama administration has announced plans to extend the Free SHS program to include private senior high schools starting from the next academic year.

This follows an announcement by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, May 27, during the launch of revised guidelines for the school selection process for candidates preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Under the updated guidelines, students can now select up to seven schools—an increase from the previous six. The selection period will run from May 27 to June 6.