Resolving challenges confronting the educational systems should be a priority of every government, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has said.
He said, "Challenges confronting education should be given prominence before any politician can talk about making Senior High School (SHS) free".
Mr Ofosu Ampofo said this at the campaign launch of Mr Ntow Boahene, National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Aburi Constituency in the Eastern Region on Monday.
The Aburi Constituency was one of the 45 newly created constituencies in the region by the Electoral Commission for the December 7th 2012 general elections.
The Minister said the current educational system needed quality and accessibility; therefore, it would be prudent for any government given the mandate to govern, to devise measures on how to provide quality and accessible education.
He said currently government basic schools were free in the country yet most parents prefer to enroll their children in private schools for quality tuition, stressing "education at the moment needs quality not free".
Mr Ofosu Ampofo said if retained in power, the NDC government led by President John Mahama would establish 10 training colleges and enhance the Single Spine Salary Structure to boost the morale of all teachers.
He said although the free SHS policy was touted by the New Patriotic Party, explanations given to Ghanaians on how it would be achieved does not hold water therefore the electorates, especially women should not buy into that idea.
The Minister said government would provide the Aburi District Assembly with new four heel drives to enhance movement and improve development in the Assembly.
Mr Ntow Boahene said the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah had failed on his promises to ensure utmost development in the area therefore he should not be given another chance to worsen the woes of the people.
He said the NDC in its first term had overwhelmingly developed the area and called on the electorates to vote out Mr Amoah in order to increase the speed of development in the area.