The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has vehemently opposed the proposed Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill currently under discussion by Parliament’s Select Committee on Education.

The education management body criticized the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei-Adutwum’s proposal to separate Junior High Schools (JHS) from primary schools and abolish the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as prerequisites for SHS admission.

But NAGRAT described these plans as unfortunate and stressed the need for broader stakeholder engagement before implementing such significant educational reforms.

They also expressed their disappointment over the lack of extensive stakeholder consultations and inputs on the impending Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill.

NAGRAT has, meanwhile, demanded that the government of Ghana postpones presenting the bill to Parliament to allow for inclusive consultations and ensure all perspectives are considered.

The association also urged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to reject the bill in its current form due to the absence of input from education stakeholders, particularly teacher unions.

The aim of the Free SHS Bill is to institutionalize the policy across successive governments.