Former deputy Education Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on the government to revise upwards the monies allocated to the Free SHS program in the 2018 budget.

The North Tongu MP is of the view that the current allocation which is little over GHS1billion is woefully inadequate for the program.

The government in the 2018 budget earmarked some GH¢1.2billion to the implementation of the Free SHS programme in 2018.

The amount is three times higher than the GH¢400 million that was allocated to the programme in its first year of implementation in 2017.

The amount is expected to benefit over 100,000 students compared to this year, when the GH¢400 million catered the needs of some 424,092 students.

Speaking to Starr News, Mr. Ablakwa argued that an upward revision will help address the many challenges that have confronted the program since its roll out in September.

“…In their appropriation bill they need to increase that allocation of GH¢1.13billion. It is too small,” he stated adding “and then this voluntary education fund that they are putting their hopes on thinking that education can be run based on charity it won’t help.”

He said the move by the government clearly indicates that the government is struggling to fund the programme.