The former headmaster of the La Presbyterian Senior High School, Samuel Salamat has urged the government to engage independent-minded technocrats who can help solve the challenges that have blighted the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy.

The implementation of the free SHS has been confronted with several challenges such as lack of desks, adequate classrooms and a lack of teaching materials.

Some headmasters of various schools including the headmaster of the La Presec were interdicted for charging extra monies to repair broken down desks.

Mr. Salamat has since been transferred to the National Educational Assessment Unit at the Ministry of Education.

According to Mr. Salamat, the government must listen to people who speak out on the challenges of the policy and not resort to intimidation and threats against such persons.

“They must be prepared to listen, they must be prepared to engage people rather than intimidating and threats of transfer,” Mr. Salamat said in an interview on Citi FM Thursday.



Mr. Salamat added that several Senior High Schools in the country are confronted with worse conditions but their heads are scared to speak out for fear of being transferred or sacked.

The former head of the La Presec also described his transfer as unfair and unjust adding that he is “sad” over the treatment meted out to him.

“An impression is being created as if I asked parents to pay monies before their children are admitted, that is not correct, that is not true…I was only asking parents to help with an immediate need…I thought that I could appeal to adults in the education delivery system.

“I feel very very hurt, I have done a good work for the ministry of education and I didn’t take a pesewa and they know it…but I will take it like that.”

Mr. Salamat said he feels he has been used as a scapegoat for speaking out against the free SHS policy.