The 5.7m figure was an error, only 3.5m have benefited from Free SHS – Adutwum clarifies

Former Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has admitted that indeed only 3.5 million students have benefited from Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy since its inception.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, February 14, he emphasised the policy’s impact on expanding access to secondary education and reducing financial burdens on Ghanaian families.

Dr Adutwum, who served as Education Minister from 2021 to 2024, acknowledged the crucial role the initiative has played in ensuring that more students complete secondary education without financial constraints. “

The Free SHS policy has transformed education in Ghana, allowing millions of students to pursue their dreams without the worry of school fees,” he stated.

During the interview, Dr Adutwum also admitted to an earlier arithmetic error regarding the number of beneficiaries, clarifying that his previous statement of over five million students was inaccurate.

“There was an error in the figures previously mentioned, and I take full responsibility for that. The correct number of beneficiaries stands at 3.5 million,” he explained.

Despite the miscalculation, he maintained that the policy remains one of the most significant educational reforms in Ghana’s history.

He urged stakeholders to continue supporting the programme to sustain its success, stating, “Free SHS has changed the trajectory of education in Ghana, and we must do everything possible to ensure its continuous improvement.”