Private schools celebrate inclusion in Free SHS initiative – Nsemkeka
Private secondary schools across the country are buzzing with excitement after being officially included in the government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) initiative, a development they describe as a monumental victory for the sector.
The celebrations follow an announcement by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to extend the deadline for the 2025 school selection process to Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to accommodate the private senior high schools.
The move is intended to enhance access to secondary education and alleviate overcrowding in public schools.
In a circular issued on June 13, the GES instructed all Regional Directors of Education to ensure the new deadline is promptly communicated to Metro, Municipal, and District Directors, as well as to JHS final-year students through their school heads.
In an enthusiastic response, Richard Kyei Naphtali, the Public Relations Officer for the Conference of Heads of Private Second Cycle Schools (CHOPSS), shared his thoughts, stating, “Calling this exciting would be an understatement! We’re absolutely thrilled”.
“This is a breakthrough we’ve eagerly anticipated for years, and it represents a fantastic opportunity for private institutions to thrive within the educational framework,” he told Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, June 14.
In a significant shift, students will now be allowed to choose up to seven schools—an increase from the previous limit of six—and for the first time, private senior high schools will be recognised under the Free SHS policy.
CHOPSS is optimistic that this inclusion will not only increase student enrolment in private schools but will also enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors, fostering an environment of shared responsibility in delivering high-quality education.
With approximately 30% of Ghanaian students currently enrolled in private secondary schools, this initiative could potentially affect thousands of families seeking affordable education options.
Furthermore, industry experts believe that the integration of private schools into the Free SHS program might inspire further investments in private education, leading to improvements in facilities and teaching quality across the board.
As private institutions prepare for this new chapter, stakeholders are hopeful that this collaboration will set a precedent for future educational policies, ultimately enriching the learning experience for all students in Ghana.