Frank Forkuo Ababio

Investigating the implications of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Policy on quality education and academic performance of students in Ghana

Supervisors: Dr Claire Mcloughlin, Professor Jonathan Fisher

Over the last four decades (4), Ghana’s educational policies have focussed on eliminating illiteracy and enhancing the acquisition of vocational and technical skills for socio-economic development. The efforts of governments in achieving these outcomes have included the provision of educational infrastructure and facilities, provision of teaching and learning materials, training of educators, and facilitating the roles of other stakeholders. Despite years of efforts, access to education has been constrained by costs borne by students and parents and this is reflected in the disparities in access to education between rural and urban areas, between gender, and between the southern and northern parts of the country. To address this challenge, the government of Ghana implemented the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy in 2017 which involve eliminating payment of fees at the high school level, with the goal of enhancing secondary school enrolment, improve educational quality and achieve equity in access to education. However, with excessive focus on increasing enrolment, concern over the quality of education and performance of students has emerged as a critical risk to the FSHS policy. This study seeks to investigate the implications of the FSHS policy on students’ performance and quality of education outcomes in Ghana.

Frank`s research interest focuses on the intersection between politics and development, with particular focus on social protection, spatial inequality, education reforms, public policy, decentralization, and local governance

Frank Ababio

Profile

Frank Forkuo Ababio is the first son of nine siblings, born in a small town called Toamfom in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana's Ashanti Region to Mr. Frank Forkuo Ababio and Madam Comfort Abena Serwaa Poku. Frank completed his JSS at New Order Preparatory School in Accra after attending Toamfom D/A Primary, Kuntanase R/C Primary, and Wiafe Akenten International. Frank was admitted to former Atwimaman Senior Secondary School after JSS, where he excelled academically and led. Frank became Senior Boys School Prefect and Scripture Union President in his final year. Frank was one of two distinguished graduates that year. Frank could not immediately attend university after secondary school due to financial constraints. Frank became an Office Assistant at Bosomtwe Rural Bank Limited to fund his university education. After a year of hard work at the Bank, Frank was admitted to the University of Ghana to study Political Science with religions with his savings and assistance from some family members.

Frank served his mandatory National Service with the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District Office of the National Health Insurance Authority after graduating. Frank was hired after the National Service as a Deputy District Public Relations Officer and elevated to substantive Public Relations Officer after one year of hard work.

Frank won multiple elections, including Kuntanase Electoral Area Assembly member, Bosomtwe District Assembly presiding member and Regional Chairman of the NHIS workers Union. Frank served on various committees and boards, including the Public Relations and Complaints Sub-Committee, Social Services Sub-Committee, Assembly Executive Committee, District Audit Implementation Committee, and St. George's Senior High School Governing Board.

Frank was privileged to be the Research Assistant to the Minister of Education and Bosmomtwe Constituency MP. (Hon. Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum).

Qualifications

  • MA in Social Research, University of Birmingham, 2023
  • Masters in public administration (MPA), University of Birmingham, 2019.
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science and the Study of Religions, University of Ghana, 2006

Publications

  • Exploring the prospects of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) elections and the implications for local development: A case study of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. (unpublished masters thesis)

Contact details:

Email: faf874@student.bham.ac.uk