Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has highlighted a significant societal shift attributed to the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy implemented by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking at an event in Accra, Dr. Bawumia stated that the initiative has notably decreased the number of housemaids as more girls are now enrolled in senior high schools.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the data shows a remarkable change in enrollment patterns.
“The second thing we are seeing in the data is that girls are enrolling more than boys in senior high school. By 2016, for every 100 boys, there were 68 girls, so there was a big gap. By 2023, it has changed completely. For every 100 boys, we have 106 girls, so now the girls are more than the boys, which is also good for us going down the road.”
This shift has had a noticeable impact on the availability of housemaids in urban areas, particularly in Accra.
Dr. Bawumia pointed out that parents are increasingly prioritizing education for their daughters, thereby reducing the number of young girls entering domestic work. “Today in Accra, you cannot find housemaids because all the parents of the girls have taken them to school,” he said.
The Free SHS policy, a flagship initiative of the NPP, was introduced to eliminate financial barriers to secondary education. It covers tuition, textbooks, meals, and other associated costs, making secondary education accessible to all Ghanaian children.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the long-term benefits of this trend, suggesting that higher female enrollment in schools will lead to a more educated workforce and improved gender equality in the future. He also praised the policy for creating a more level playing field for girls, enabling them to pursue their education and career aspirations.
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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says the implementation of the free Senior High School policy has brought about the scarcity of housemaids in Accra.
According to him, most of the underprivileged young girls who would have been serving as housemaids now find themselves in schools.#TV3GH pic.twitter.com/hV8ac9Tneg
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 20, 2024
