Matthew Opoku Prempeh has highlighted significant shortcomings in Ghana's educational system prior to the introduction of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program, particularly concerning contact hours-an essential factor for student success.
According to NAPO, the previous system, which operated under a three-term structure, provided students with fewer contact hours compared to the semester system, adversely affecting academic outcomes.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One's Umaru Sanda, NAPO discussed the system's impact on student performance, stating that the nine-term, three-year program used before Free SHS was inherently flawed. "Before Free SHS, I kept saying that the SSS program was a nine-term program, but it didn't reflect in the actual contact hours for the students," he said.
NAPO elaborated that, in the past, final-year students often began their external exams as early as February, which meant they missed out on two full terms of classroom interaction. "This reduction in contact hours directly impacted their preparation and overall performance," he explained.
