NDC's free uniform mantra is populist -Nsowah

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Created on Saturday, 10 November 2012 00:00

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NDC's free uniform mantra is populist -Nsowah

09 November 2012

A former Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Michael Nsowah has criticized the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for politicizing education in the country.

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According to him, the panacea to solving the deficits in the educational sector is to formulate feasible policies like the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) free Senior High School (SHS) and not the distribution of free school uniforms and exercise books.

The NDC in fulfillment of its 2008 manifesto promise has distributed free school uniforms and exercise books as part of efforts to improve quality and increase enrollment in basic schools nationwide.

The governing party which is against the NPP’s free secondary education policy maintains that improving access is the right way to go.

But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programmed Friday, Michael Nsowah said the cacophony about the distribution of free school uniforms and exercise books is nothing but populism.

He noted that the problem facing the educational sector persisted even after the supposed distribution of the free uniforms and books.

Mr. Nsowah stated that the NDC can boasts of having achieved unprecedented levels of enrollment in schools due to the distribution of free uniforms but the shocking reality is that there is still the overwhelming majority of qualified school pupils who are still not in the classroom.

He underscored the need for GES to be resourced to effectively manage the sector.

The retired educationist anticipates a big confusion in the education sector, citing the exit of two batches of students from the SHS at the same time.

Following the reverse of the four year educational structure to three years by the Mills-led administration after assuming office in 2009, the first batch of three-year SHS graduates and the final batch of four-year SHS graduates will write the 2013 May-June West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

This Mr. Nsowah described as unfortunate and questioned government’s decision to exit two batches of students from the SHS at the same time.

The former GES boss called on government to rethink its decision since it would result in placing pressure on infrastructure at the tertiary level.

On the NPP’s free SHS policy, Michael Nsowah said the country has enough resources to implement such policy.

He said the policy is to ensure all children of school going have the opportunity irrespective of their parents financial status.

Michael Nsowah urged Ghanaians to vote for a visionary leader who has their interest at heart.

From: Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com