Introduction of new school uniforms ill-advised – AFAG

Pro- New Patriotic Party (NPP)  pressure group, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has kicked against the change in school uniform for Junior High School School (JHS) by the government.

According to the group, the decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce this modality does not hold because it will not improve teaching and learning when basic school needs are lacking.

The announcement which takes effect from the 2019- 2020 academic year begin has already been met with stiff opposition with many describing it as a misplaced priority.

AFAG in a statement said the latest move has the tendency of jeopardizing local businesses in the garment industry.

The alliance is among other things questioning the logic behind the payment of these uniforms when the Free SHS is providing uniforms at no cost.

New uniform shows GES is paying attention to students – Annis Hafar

Meanwhile, an educationist, Annis Hafar has backed a decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce a new school uniform for Junior High School (JHS) students in the country.

According to him, the introduction of the uniform shows that GES is paying attention to JHS students thus giving students a sense of importance.

“Bringing in something new never hurts, we live in a very dynamic world, we don’t want things to be so static. We want the children to see that it is a new day, there are new expectations and there is nothing wrong with changing uniform as long as there is enough for them to wear. The psychology is important in the sense that they would feel we are paying attention to them[Junior High School (JHS) students]. Being hygienic is part of a school system that supports the psychology of student, ” he said.

Here is the full release by AFAG

“AFAG has noted a publication in the Daily Graphic dated 11th April 2019 on the introduction of new school uniforms for JHS students. Since school uniforms have no scientific impact on raising the falling standards of education in public schools, AFAG is surprised at the focus of government and the introduction of the policy at this juncture. Should government attention not be on infrastructure and teaching performance instead?

Has government considered the financial impact of this policy on existing business class operating in the garment sector? Introducing this policy in the coming 2019-2020 academic year is ill-advised. It would ruin lots of businesses, which have stocked garments for the current uniforms.

If government insists on going forward, AFAG proposes that;

1. Three years advance notice would not be a bad idea for businesses that stocked the existing school uniform to exhaust their current stocks to prevent lots of tears. Currently, AFAG estimates that stocks in the old uniforms runs between $35m to $50mn USD. The sector employs about 1,200 people including importers, distributors and retailers. Large portions of capital of banks and other landing institutions are tied up in most of these businesses. An abrupt move as proposed by the government put these investments at risk.

2. Government should allow both uniforms to run concurrent for at least five academic years to enable operators in the sector to land softly.

3. Why are parents to pay for uniforms for JHS students whilst SHS students need not pay for uniforms under Free SHS? It is not logical?

4. In the event parents are eventually asked to pay for their wards uniforms, government must no way prescribe suppliers. The private sector must be allowed to openly compete for market share.

AFAG strongly believes that this is not the time for government to undertake such decision, which would jeopardize businesses and undermine the precarious larger private sector.”

–

By: Nii Larte Lartey | citinewsroom.com |Ghana | [email protected]

The post Introduction of new school uniforms ill-advised – AFAG appeared first on Citi Newsroom.

Read Full Story