The Paramount chief of Sefwi Anwhiaso Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi, has asked the presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akuffo-Addo, to consider bringing back the four-year duration for Senior High Schools if he’s given the nod in the December general elections.
The Chief made the appeal on Wednesday, when Nana Addo commenced his 5-day visit in the northern part of the Western Region. According to him, the recent results released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), for the WASSCE, paints a picture of an ailing senior high school system.
In the view of the Chief, the three year duration is too short to guarantee success and churn out the quality of graduates needed.
Background on SHS duration The NPP administration started the 4-year Senior High School programme in 2007, after claiming that a thorough research conducted by respected educationists had recommended an extension of the duration. But this was short-lived as it was reverted by the National Democratic Congress which took over power in 2009.
This could be blamed on the lack of political will to implement any national development plan that makes continuity compulsory. The NDC’s action was touted by the then opposition as a fulfilment of a campaign promise and not a desire to pursue a genuine course.
But the party just like the NPP then, also backed its decision with a research which concluded that quality education had nothing to do with the extended duration. But Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi believes a return to the four-year system is in order following recent concerns about poor WASCCE results.
“I was so sad when I heard the results this morning. Can you imagine that those who had between A1 and C6 were just 53 percent… those who failed terribly represented 38.9 percent,” he lamented.
“How can we move forward as a nation with these results; so I plead with you to revert to the 4-year system if you are elected president.” “The reason is that, the timetable for the SHS is approximately 2 years and some three months. If we need to take the four-year policy, let’s do it, if it is the 3 years too, let’s resource the schools”. Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi added.
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