The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has welcomed ongoing efforts by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to include private senior high schools in the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, as outlined in the party’s 2024 manifesto.
This initiative, which marks a shift in Ghana’s education policy landscape, is being developed through active collaboration between the government and private school stakeholders.
Speaking on A1 Radio, President of GNAPS, Professor Damasus Tuurosong, revealed that consultations with the NDC began even before the party returned to power. During these early engagements, private school representatives shared policy proposals aimed at creating a more inclusive FSHS system.
He noted that the current policy direction reflects those earlier discussions, and private school operators across the country have expressed optimism about the developments.
“We have been having discussions with the NDC since their opposition days on how this policy can work. We presented our policy proposals to them and, gladly, they accepted them. Today, we are seeing this collaboration bear fruit. Our members across the country are very excited, and we are ready to work with the government to ensure the policy is successful,” he said.
According to him, the new arrangement will see private schools receiving the same government funding per student as public schools. However, some private institutions may still require students to top up fees due to operational costs that exceed the standard government subsidy.
Professor Tuurosong also explained that the computerized school placement system will be expanded to include a specific category for eligible private schools. However, not all private schools will qualify. Only those that meet quality assurance standards and are listed in the National Schools Inspectorate Authority’s database will be considered for selection and placement.
“When you’re in the database of the National Schools Inspectorate Authority, it means you have met the standard to operate and, therefore, qualify to be part of the Free SHS policy and eligible for school placement,” he explained.
He added that while these schools may not appear in the main selection window for the 2025/2026 academic year, they are expected to be included in the self-placement option. Manual placement procedures are also being considered to ensure that private schools receive a fair share of student placements.
Despite the promising outlook, GNAPS acknowledges that private schools will face upfront financial challenges. Since government disbursements may not arrive before the academic year begins, many institutions may have to secure credit facilities to commence operations. Importantly, the government has clarified that its financial support will only cover academic user fees and will not include costs for boarding, accommodation, or feeding.
“Government has made it clear to us that they cannot pay for the boarding status of our students. The cost they will advance to us is for day students only—so it will not cover accommodation and feeding, only academic user fees,” he stated.
Professor Tuurosong urged private Senior High School proprietors to begin preparations to reclaim hostels and classrooms that were previously converted for other uses following the significant 80 percent drop in enrollment since the FSHS program was launched in 2017.
“My advice to them is that we are anticipating an increase in student numbers. They need to begin reclaiming hostels and classroom blocks previously repurposed, and start preparing furniture and teaching and learning materials.”
While the long-term future of private school inclusion in the FSHS policy depends on the continuity of the current government and sustained policy implementation by future administrations, GNAPS remains hopeful that this direction will be maintained, bringing renewed vitality to private education in Ghana.
“It is not temporary as far as the NDC government is concerned. I cannot look far into the future to know what may happen with a change in regime. But as long as this government remains in power, we know it is part of their policy framework, and they will continue to work with us,” he said.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
