Free SHS is non-negotiable; we’ll force it on NDC – Majority Leader

Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has declared that the caucus will not be intimidated by the Minority’s opposition to the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill.

Speaking on Onua FM’s Yen Nsempa program, on July 3, the Effutu MP emphasized that the Free SHS policy is non-negotiable and the Majority will push the bill through at all costs.

He asserted that the policy would be forced on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its parliamentarians.

“The ranking member on the education committee, Nortsue-Kotoe, said they will not support the bill, so it is fair to say that the NDC does not support the Free SHS bill,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

He criticized the NDC for opposing the bill prematurely, noting that they had not even reviewed it. He compared this opposition to their initial resistance to the Free SHS policy and other major social interventions.

“There is no fear of anything. We only want to enact the law to bind all of us and build a new national consciousness that Free SHS is not negotiable. No matter how the NDC opposes it, we will force it on them,” he added.

If passed into law, the bill would ensure that the Free SHS policy remains binding on successive governments, preventing any future administration from discontinuing it. Despite initial resistance, the NDC and Minority Party have now declared their support for the bill.

They have also announced their intention to push for a dedicated funding source for the Free SHS policy in the forthcoming proposed legislation by the government.

However, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee and Member of Parliament for Akatsi North Constituency, Nortsue-Kotoe, has dismissed claims by the NPP government regarding its concern for the country’s education.

He pointed out that the current government has not prioritized education as it claims, highlighting significant debts owed to suppliers of key educational logistics.

“As we speak now, the government owes monies to those who supplied school uniforms two to three years ago to senior high school students. They owe money to people who supplied textbooks and furniture to senior high schools. So, what are they trying to say?” he questioned.

Nortsue-Kotoe also revealed that the government still owes money to suppliers of food items for two years.