All the Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Ashanti Region are under logistical constraint despite measures put in place by the government for the start of the free education policy, Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah has revealed.

“With the exception of Kumasi Anglican SHS, St. Louis and Nsutaman in the Sekyere Central, almost all the SHSs in the region are facing some teething challenges”.

“Some of the schools outside the capital of Kumasi still have not received their exercise books to enable them study”, according to the minister.

“Also we identified accommodation as one of the challenges the headmasters and the mistresses are facing due to mad rush for boarding accommodation,” he told host of Kumasi-based Abusua FM morning show host Kwame Adinkra.

Last week top government officials led by the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Marfo stormed schools in the region to access the progress of the free education policy following complaints across the country.

“We have therefore tasked the Regional Director and the District Directors of the Education Service to work in hand with the school heads to fix those challenges we identified”, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah said.

Free SHS education has been one of the top priorities of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government as it was a major campaign tool prior to 2008, 2012 and the 2016 elections respectively.

The NPP after winning the 2016 general elections said it is determined to roll out the programme that seeks to give free Senior High School education to about 400, 000 students across the country.

However, some individuals and groups both within and outside the party have warned the government to make better preparations to ensure its sustainability. A former defence minister, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, who is also a staunch member of the party earlier this year warned.