The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has voiced strong opposition to the government’s decision to extend the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to include private schools.
The government maintains the move is intended to broaden access to secondary education and reduce overcrowding in public SHS institutions.
Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, made the announcement on May 27 during the launch of revised school selection guidelines for candidates preparing to sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Dr. Apaak explained that incorporating private schools into the Free SHS programme is part of a broader strategy to expand capacity and eventually phase out the double-track system.
However, GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Musah, has rejected the proposal, warning that it could further strain the already limited resources in public schools. He expressed concern that the government might later cite a lack of resources as reason for reduced support to public education, thereby undermining the core objectives of the Free SHS policy.
Musah argued that instead of expanding the programme to private schools, efforts should be focused on strengthening the existing system. He reiterated GNAT’s long-standing position that parents who can afford to pay fees should be encouraged to contribute, especially in light of current resource constraints.
He cautioned that adding private schools to the programme without resolving ongoing challenges could jeopardize the sustainability and effectiveness of Free SHS, potentially creating more problems than solutions.
