Three-year SHS unfortunate - Addae-Mensah

Prof Addae-Mensah, former VC of UG Educationist Prof Ivan Addae-Mensah has kicked against government’s decision to revert to the three-year senior high education. Prof Addae-Mensah who is also a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, described the move as “unfortunate,” considering the current performance of students in schools. Education Minister Alex Tettey-Enyo in earlier interviews with Joy News said government’s decision to re-introduce the three-year programme was informed by an education forum held recently on the subject. He said the report from the forum on the duration of the senior high school system gave the strongest indication that three years was a better option. The minister had previously cited inadequate facilities at some senior high schools in the country for government’s lack of interest in a four-year duration for the programme. He insists four years would worsen the financial burden on parents. But speaking to Joy FM on Tuesday, Prof Addae-Mensah said government’s decision was not in the best interest of the country. He however admitted that the ruling party might have taken its latest decision to satisfy a burning campaign promise. “Over 90 percent of our children are in schools in the rural areas and the background from which they come to secondary school from the JSS is nothing to write home about. They need time. Some of them are late developers,” he said. “What we have been advocating is that since there are late developers, if you give everybody a little more time, they will develop to their fullest potential.” While Prof Addae-Mensah supports a four-year duration for the programme, he insists brilliant students could be allowed to test their performance at the final exam, as had been happening in time past. The debate over the best duration for senior high education is becoming more interesting with suggestions it has taken a political twist. Listen to excerpts of Prof Addae-Mensah's submission on the issue Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana