Correspondent from Western Region

The implementation of the Free Senior High School flagship programme introduced by the Akufo-Addo-led government has tremendously increased enrollment in schools in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Ghanaweb's Daniel Kaku reports.

Before the start of the Free SHS programme, the total enrolment in the schools in Ellembelle District was 2,482 thus 2016/2017 academic year but with the introduction of the Free SHS programme in 2017/2018, the figure has increased.

The 2017/2018 academic year enrolment was 4,200 students.

In 2018/2019 academic year, the enrolment also increased to 4,503 students and in 2019/2020 academic year, it was increased from 4,503 to 5,587 students.

The policy has made it possible for so many students who come from the less privileged homes to further their secondary education and it had reduced the school dropout situation in Ellembelle District.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh who exclusively disclosed this to GhanaWeb at Bonzo Kaku Senior High School after the March-past of the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Celebration lauded President Akufo-Addo for the introduction of the programme.

He stated that the policy had tremendously taken off huge burden from parents in the area of payment of school fees, provision of school uniforms, textbooks, boarding fees among others in the District.

"The policy has also made it possible for every Junior High School graduate to have access to secondary education. This has tremendously increased enrolment throughout the country", he said.

The DCE told GhanaWeb that, "analyzing these figures implies that the introduction of Free SHS made the enrolment figures to double in the 2017/18 academic year. It also implies that almost half of the students would not have been able to have access to SHS education without the Free SHS Programme".

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to support government to consolidate the policy no matter the party any Ghanaian belongs to and also said all hands should be on deck to help government improve the flagship programme.

"...It is therefore incumbent on every Ghana to support Government to consolidate this policy no matter the political party we belong to. All hands should be on deck to support Government not only to continue but to improve on the Free SHS programme. I know for sure that all the children gathered here would want to attend Free SHS and we should endeavour to make them enjoy it when their time comes", he emphasized.

Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh seized the opportunity to reveal that government was providing the necessary infrastructure to eliminate the Double Track System at the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School, the only school in Ellembelle District implementing the system.

He said currently government has finished building a 12-unit classroom block for the school which is expected to be commissioned very soon.

He added the government was constructing a dormitory for the boys which is also expected to be completed very soon. He was optimistic that the government would abolish the Double Track System at the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School before the start of the 2020/2021 academic year.

A total of 25 Basic and Second Cycle Schools took part in the March past at Bonzo Kaku Senior High School park to commemorate the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Celebration.

Rev. Armah Memorial D/A Primary School of Basake emerged first in the March past in the primary category.

Awiebo Methodist Primary School became second and Akpandue SDA Primary School became third in the primary school category.

On the other hand, Agyalukronzu Junior High School of Basake scooped the first position in the JHS category.

Awiebo Methodist Junior High School won the second position and Awiebo-Basake D/A Junior High School became third.

Nkroful Agriculture Senior High School police cadet emerged first in the second cycle cadet display followed by Bonzo Kaku Senior High School and St. Theresah's Vocational Training Institute.

Bonzo Kaku Senior High School became the only Senior High School in Ellembelle to take part in the second cycle March past and they were adjudged the winners.

Brainner Cobbinah Allan who completed Esisma Christ Leading International School last year was adjudged the best female 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate.

She received a cash prize (undisclosed amount) with a certificate of achievement.

Ersson Benjamin Sekyi who also completed Wisdom Academy of Sanzule last year was also adjudged the best 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate. He also took the same prize with a certificate of achievement. He is currently schooling at Nsien SHS.

Nkroful Agriculture Senior High School also received a certificate with cash prize for winning the 2020 Ellembelle District 63rd Independence Day Quiz Competition.