Cloud -Based Learning: A Cost-Effective Solution to Ghana’s Free SHS Challenges  

 The Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in Ghana has been vital in increasing access to secondary education. The system allows every Ghanaian student to benefit from formal schooling regardless of their financial situation. Yet, the program’s sustainability is facing increasing concern due to the considerable financial strain it places on the government. As an unshakeable fact, improved enrolment numbers have added to the burden on infrastructure. This leads to the adoption of a double-track system-a stopgap solution that, while beneficial in the short run, falls short of ensuring lasting educational continuity.

As we search for creative ways to maintain the Free SHS initiative while tackling financial and infrastructural issues, I will like to suggest a hybrid educational model that will merge on-campus and online learning. By reorganizing the academic calendar to have students spend three months in school and three months studying remotely via digital platforms, the government can cut costs, alleviate infrastructure pressures, and allow students to find part-time work to support their studies.

The Hybrid Cloud-Based Learning Structure

A hybrid learning model fuses traditional face-to-face education with online instruction. It will permit students to switch between physical classrooms and virtual environments. This model is being effectively practiced in Malaysia, Spain, New Zealand among others. It could be tailored to fit our country’s specific educational needs.

Operational Framework

The proposed model will involve splitting the academic year into two alternating segments:

• On-Campus Learning (Three Months):
  1. Students physically attend school for focused, interactive lessons, practical training, lab work, and extracurricular activities.
  2. Teachers would prioritize subjects requiring direct engagement, like science labs and vocational skills, while also training students in effective use of cloud-based learning platforms to facilitate smooth off-campus transitions.
• Off-Campus Learning (Three Months):

1. Students would pursue their studies remotely using cloud-based systems, enabling access to recorded lectures, assignment submissions, and online discussions.
2. Educators would oversee academic progress through virtual interactions and regular assessments, ensuring student engagement.

This adaptable model would provide students the chance to take part-time jobs or apprenticeships, allowing them to gain real-life experience and support their education financially.

Merits of the Hybrid Cloud-Based Model

• Government Cost Savings:

This model has the potential to significantly cut government spending on Free SHS. Currently, vast amounts of money are allocated to infrastructure development, food programs, and operational costs. Decreasing the number of students on campus at any time could reduce expenses related to building new classrooms, dormitories, and dining facilities, freeing up funds for improving education quality.

• Mitigating Infrastructure Issues:

Our schools are currently plagued by severe infrastructure shortages, with overcrowding and a lack of essential resources. The hybrid model would mitigate these challenges by limiting student numbers in classrooms, enhancing resource management and learning conditions. The previously necessary double-track system would become obsolete.

• Leveraging Technology for Learning:

Transitioning to cloud-based education would introduce students to contemporary technological tools, enhancing their digital literacy and preparing them for the demands of the modern job market. Students would have access to global educational resources, collaborate online, and foster independent learning skills, aligning with Ghana’s ambitions to become a knowledge-centred economy.

• Flexibility for Student Employment:

The hybrid model offers flexibility for students to pursue part-time jobs or entrepreneurial ventures during their off-campus periods, easing the financial burden on them and their families, while also promoting financial independence and valuable work experience before completion.

• Increased Educational Access:

A cloud-based framework would break down traditional classroom barriers. It would enhance educational accessibility for students in remote locations. Many students face transportation and housing costs when attending urban schools. With digital learning, they could access quality education from their communities, closing the urban-rural education divide.

• Improved Educational Results:

Current classroom overcrowding often leads to ineffective teaching. The hybrid model would create a better learning atmosphere by reducing congestion. Additionally, students studying independently during off-campus periods would develop crucial critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, vital for success in their academic and professional lives.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

• Internet and Technological Infrastructure

A significant obstacle to adopting the cloud-based learning model is the lack of internet access and technological resources. Numerous students, particularly in rural areas, do not have stable internet connections or access to digital devices like laptops or tablets. This lack of essential technology could exacerbate educational disparities rather than alleviate them.

To tackle this issue, the government should partner with telecommunications companies to offer affordable internet data packages to students. Moreover, schools could create community learning centres where students without internet at home can participate in online classes. It would also be beneficial for NGOs and private entities to donate digital learning devices to underprivileged students to promote equitable access to education.

• Teacher Training and Adaptation

For a hybrid learning system to thrive, teachers need to be efficiently prepared to provide online education. Unfortunately, many educators in Ghana have minimal experience with digital teaching tools and managing virtual classrooms. Without proper training, student education during remote learning may suffer.

To resolve this, the Ghana Education Service (GES) should mandate digital literacy training for teachers, emphasizing virtual teaching strategies, online assessment methods, and the utilization of educational technology. Schools should also gradually incorporate blended learning techniques into their curriculums, giving teachers the opportunity to acclimate to the new system prior to its full deployment.

• Student Engagement and Motivation

A significant concern with online learning is the possible decline in student engagement and motivation. In the absence of direct teacher oversight in a physical classroom, some students may find it challenging to stay disciplined, which could negatively affect their academic performance. Home distractions and the absence of an organized learning environment may aggravate this problem.

To foster student engagement, schools should implement regular virtual check-ins to assess students’ progress and provide needed academic assistance. Parents should also play an active role in ensuring their children engage in online learning activities. Moreover, employing gamification strategies, like awarding points for completing assignments or offering rewards for consistent participation, could make remote learning more engaging and fulfilling.

By proactively addressing these challenges, Ghana can effectively transition to a sustainable and successful hybrid cloud-based education system, ensuring that every student can pursue quality education without being left behind.

Conclusion

Our Free SHS policy has greatly improved access to education, but its long-term viability is threatened by financial and infrastructural challenges. A hybrid cloud-based learning framework would offer a practical, cost-efficient, and flexible alternative that could enhance educational outcomes while reducing government financial commitments.

By embracing this model, we can not only sustain free educational access but also transform our educational system to align with global best practices. Despite challenges such as internet access and teacher training, the advantages greatly outweigh the drawbacks. Now is the critical moment for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to adopt this innovative approach to ensure a bright educational future for Ghana. Traditional classrooms are fading out. Let’s go digital.

WRITTEN BY: WISDOM KOUDJO KLU, EDUCATIONIST/COLUMNIST, GREATER ACCRA REGION, [email protected]