GNAPS Commends Education Ministry for Including Private SHSs in Free SHS Programmev

Accra, Ghana –
The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has officially lauded the Ministry of Education for its recent move to include private Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Free SHS policy, a reform aimed at easing pressure on public schools and expanding access to quality education.

At a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, GNAPS leadership expressed gratitude to the government, calling the initiative a "timely, strategic and inclusive policy shift" that will not only address the infrastructure strain in public SHSs but also empower the private education sector to contribute more meaningfully to national development.

“We have long advocated for this level of inclusion. It shows that the Ministry is listening and is committed to a more integrated education system,” said Dr. Damasus Tuurosong, President of GNAPS.

???? A Response to the Double-Track Pressure

The Ministry’s decision comes in the wake of mounting concerns over overcrowding and resource constraints in public SHSs under the double-track system. Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum recently hinted that qualified private schools would be absorbed into the programme to reduce these challenges.

This move, GNAPS believes, will:

• Provide relief to public SHSs struggling with space

• Enhance equity in the distribution of government educational support

• Encourage improved standards in private schools seeking inclusion

???? Criteria and Oversight

GNAPS has pledged to work closely with the Ministry to ensure that only schools that meet set academic and infrastructural standards are enrolled in the programme. The association also emphasized the need for fair monitoring and funding mechanisms to ensure success.

“We are ready to play our part to support Free SHS. Our schools are well-positioned to absorb more students without compromising quality,” Dr. Tuurosong added.

???? Stakeholder Reactions

While most stakeholders have welcomed the development, some education think tanks have cautioned about the fiscal implications and called for transparent guidelines to govern the rollout.

Nonetheless, GNAPS maintains that the benefits far outweigh the risks and has encouraged private schools nationwide to prepare for possible enrolment under the scheme.