The Secretary-General of the Teachers and Educational Worker’s Union (TEWU) of the Trade Union Congress, Mark Dankyira Korankye, has expressed worries about the standard of food being provided to students under the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Even though he commended the policy as one of the top educational initiatives in the nation, he called on the government to remove any political affiliations from the policy and carry out a transparent evaluation.
During the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of TEWU, he emphasized the necessity of assessing the Free SHS programme, particularly in terms of the food quality provided to students.
“This policy, after 7 years of implementation needs to be reviewed to make it even better. It cannot be business as usual,” he remarked.
Mr. Korankye highlighted the importance of engaging all relevant stakeholders in the supply of provisions and facilities, noting that some schools have reported insufficient food supplies.
“In some institutions, students are forced to rely on liquid meals throughout the day. This type of diet, known as L cube – liquid breakfast, lunch, and supper – lacks the necessary variety and nutrients required for proper learning,” he explained.
The TEWU Secretary-General urged policymakers to review the Free SHS policy and take immediate action to address any challenges.
“This is not about politicians reviewing the policy. It should be an evaluation from within the education sector, by a union that understands the sector’s needs,” he emphasized.
“Let us review it, rectify the shortcomings, and uphold the aspects that benefit our students so that they can fully enjoy the advantages of the policy,” he concluded.
