Akufo-Addo unveils free SHS logo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled the Free SHS logo, at a short ceremony at the Presidency.
In the presence of the Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr.
Mahamudu Bawumia; the Minister for Education, Hon. Matthew Opoku
Prempeh, MP; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah; and
officials from the Ministry of Education, President Akufo-Addo noted
that the coming into effect of the Free SHS policy is vital for the
transformation of the Ghanaian economy
According to President Akufo-Addo, the first country in the world, in
modern times, to institute a system of free public secondary education
was the United States of America.
“They did this a century ago, at a time when their level of
development was not very much more than ours. I hope that all of us in
Ghana can see the connection between that event and where America is
today, as the economic power of the world,” the President said.
Whilst acknowledging that in every new initiative, there would be
“wrinkles and glitches”, President Akufo-Addo appealed for the unalloyed
support of all Ghanaians for the policy, urging that the Free SHS
policy “is important not because a political party has made it its
mantra, and that the promise it made is being fulfilled, but because it
goes to the heart of what we need to do to get our country going.”
The President continued, “Our country has abundance of talent and
creativity, and of people who have all kinds of contribution to make to
the development of our society. What we need to do is to provide them
the opportunity to express themselves. And if that opportunity is
provided, I think, very rapidly, we will see the transformation that all
of us want to see in Ghana.”
President Akufo-Addo thanked the Minister for Education, and
officials of the Ministry for the hardwork and determination is bringing
to fruition the Free SHS policy.
Meaning of Logo
The design highlights an open book, on which is suspended a sketch of
two delighted school children leaping in jubilation. Underneath the
symbol are three words: Access, Equity, and Quality boldly inscribed.
The Open Book, represents learning that generates hope and optimism for a prosperous Ghana. The central symbol portrays two children emerging from a pleasurable learning experience, as they spontaneously explode in joy. They are beneficiaries of a policy that lifts the total burden of fees from parents; be it fees for books, meals, use of lab, boarding, or school uniform. These and others are to be enjoyed free of any costs to guardians.
The Open Book, represents learning that generates hope and optimism for a prosperous Ghana. The central symbol portrays two children emerging from a pleasurable learning experience, as they spontaneously explode in joy. They are beneficiaries of a policy that lifts the total burden of fees from parents; be it fees for books, meals, use of lab, boarding, or school uniform. These and others are to be enjoyed free of any costs to guardians.
The two then have a reason to leap in delight; but their animated mood also represents optimism for a brighter tomorrow.
The highlighted themes of Access, Equity and Quality underline the principles that drive the policy.
Access: The policy aims at widening access to senior high school education.
Equity: This is a fundamental driver in any social intervention
programme. Poverty, gender, deprivation, etc. should no longer be
barriers to education. The Government is eager to ensure a fair and just
society where there are equal opportunities for all, irrespective of
family circumstances.
Quality: The expected expansion of access to education can be
achieved, without the need to compromise the quality of education. The
package comes with qualitative instructional material, improvement in
school infrastructure, as well as capacity building and teacher
motivation.
The Open Book stands for Learning that is made accessible, so others
can share: it is the candle that ignites hope for future generations,
and enables students from diverse backgrounds to study towards
transforming lives and uplifting their communities.
The color code, Red, Gold and Green, with black in parts, represents Ghana’s national identity.
The free SHS policy adds value to prevailing free primary and junior
high school policies, to make pre-tertiary education a totally free
undertaking that should eventually position Ghana to enhance the quality
of its human capital to boost national development.
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