Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has assured to reintroduce
Reintroduce free sanitary pads for female students in primary and senior high schools if he comes back to power.
This was part of policies outlined in the education sector under the NDC’s manifesto which was launched on August 24, 2024, at the University of Education, Winneba.
Recently, some students at the Junior and Senior High School levels called on the government to include the distribution of sanitary pads in the Free SHS policy.
The issue of free sanitary pads for students and calls on the government to reduce taxes on sanitary pads to make them affordable for all has heightened.
The promise by John Dramani Mahama Will therefore bring relief to all women, especially female students.
He made known the party’s commitment to establishing libraries in primary schools to promote a reading culture.
Aside from that, he said they will address the critical issue of textbook distribution and ensure the provision of relevant educational materials.
“We shall prioritise the completion of abandoned educational infrastructure to reduce class sizes. We shall review and improve the free SHS/TVET policy through stakeholder engagement,” he stated.
Mr Mahama assured that his government shall Guarantee the timely disbursement of capitation grants based on the needs and resources of the schools.
“We shall integrate the Free SHS Secretariat into the Education Directorate for better oversight. Reintroduce free sanitary pads for female students in primary and senior high schools,” he stated.
Also under Education, Mr Mahama stated that the next NDC government will decentralize the school feeding program to boost local economies and improve nutrition.
“We shall strengthen PTAs to enhance community and stakeholder participation in schools. We shall develop incentives for teachers in deprived areas with comprehensive data collection,” he said.
Again, he stated that his government shall empower school heads with the resources and authority to manage schools effectively.
“We shall collaborate with unions to develop housing and auto loan schemes for teachers.
Build Teacher accommodation in basic schools and start a policy of adding teacher accommodation to every basic school to be constructed,” he added.
Mr Mahama said his government shall ensure prompt recruitment, payment of salaries, and clearance of arrears for teachers.
“We will expand secondary school spaces, improve the implementation of the FREE SHS, end the dreaded double-track system, and relieve the teacher workload.
We shall pay a 20% allowance to rural-based teachers,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he said his government shall cancel the licensure examination for Teachers.
“We shall cancel the obnoxious licensure examination for Teacher Trainee graduates.
We shall scrap the quota system for admissions into nursing and teacher training colleges to expand students’ enrollment,” he added.
He continued, “We shall reverse the names of Public Universities re-named by the NPP to reflect the core mandate of those universities.”
