GNAT rejects extension of Free SHS to private schools

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has opposed the government’s plan to extend the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme to private schools.

According the Association, it could strain limited resources in the public education sector.

The proposed policy expansion was announced during the launch of revised guidelines for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) school selection process.

Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, confirmed at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 27, that private senior high schools will be included in the Free SHS programme beginning the next academic year.

According to Dr. Apaak, the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to ease congestion in public SHSs and phase out the double-track system, which was introduced to address infrastructure limitations.

He indicated that several stakeholder consultations have already taken place, and private institutions have shown readiness to participate.

However, GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Musah, has questioned the policy’s sustainability, expressing concerns over potential funding shortfalls.

GNAT is urging the government to prioritise addressing existing problems within public schools, including infrastructure deficits and teacher shortages, before considering expansion to private institutions.

“We don’t want the situation where tomorrow the government will come and tell us that there are no resources to teach in the public schools, and so we are adding on to those that parents have to pay. Already we have been calling for parents who can pay fees to pay, or should be made to make some contributions.”