The National Executive Director of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools, Obenfo Nana Kwesi Gyetuah, has commended President John Dramani Mahama and his administration for the decision to extend the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy to private schools beginning next academic year.
In an interview on the Happy Morning Show on Happy 98.9 FM, Thursday, May 29, Mr. Gyetuah highlighted that prior to the implementation of the Free SHS policy, the 2018 Educational Census recorded 351 private SHS and 721 public SHS institutions. He noted that the initial rollout placed enormous pressure on public schools due to their limited infrastructure.
He recalled that at the time, the Private Schools Association appealed to the government to include them in the policy to help address the infrastructural burden. However, their request was not heeded.
Mr. Gyetuah emphasized that during President Mahama’s 2024 campaign tour, he engaged with private school stakeholders, who recommended that incorporating private schools into the policy could create space for an additional 160,000 day students.
This, they argued, would significantly ease the strain on the Free SHS program, especially in addressing challenges associated with the double-track system.
He expressed satisfaction that the Mahama administration has now taken their suggestion into account and officially included private schools in the initiative. According to him, this is not a consideration under review,it is a confirmed decision.
He affirmed that the inclusion of private schools will positively impact the sustainability and effectiveness of the Free SHS policy.
By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
