The National Executive Director of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), Obenfo Nana Kwesi Gyetuah, has confirmed that discussions with the Ministry of Education regarding the inclusion of private schools in the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy have been concluded, with key implementation measures now agreed upon.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Happy 98.9 FM’s Happy Morning Show with Fati Shaibu-Ali, Mr. Gyetuah revealed that following a successful engagement, private schools, in collaboration with Africa Education Watch, submitted proposals which have shaped the framework for their participation in the policy.
He explained that under the agreed arrangement, private schools will enter into a partnership with the government to support the Free SHS initiative. As part of their responsibilities, private schools will provide essential infrastructure such as school buildings and water facilities.
Additionally, they will retain the authority to hire and manage their own teaching staff, a measure aimed at enhancing supervision and ensuring accountability.
Mr. Gyetuah also emphasized that the financial support per student offered to public schools will be equally extended to private institutions involved in the program.
He further noted that the government will now be responsible for integrating private schools into the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), as well as the national education register. Instead of creating new classifications, private schools will be added to the existing SHS categories (A, B, or C), based on their facilities and available resources.
In line with standard policy for public schools, the government will also provide school uniforms for eligible students enrolled in private schools under the Free SHS program.
Mr. Gyatuah argued that the inclusion of private schools is not meant to add to the current challenges of the Free SHS policy, but rather to help resolve them by easing pressure on the public school system.
By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
