Executive Director GNACOPS, Enoch Nana Gyetuah

The Ghana National Council for Private Schools (GNACOPS) has confirmed that the government will provide a termly tuition fee of GH¢1,500 for each student enrolled in selected private Senior High Schools (SHSs) as part of a pilot phase of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on June 1, 2025, GNACOPS Executive Director Enoch Nana Gyetuah revealed that the initiative is scheduled to begin in the 2025/2026 academic year.

The move is part of efforts to expand access to secondary education and reduce the pressure on public SHSs currently operating under the double-track system.

“Government is going to supply us with a tentative amount of GH¢1,500 for tuition, termly,” he stated.

According to him, private SHSs across the country have already submitted their available vacancies to the Ministry of Education.

These spaces will be factored into the placement of students who sit for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

“The schools (private) have already declared their vacancies for the Free SHS and that has been sent to the Ministry of Education. Placements will be made in accordance with each school’s capacity to ensure quality education and prevent overcrowding”, he indicated.

Gyetuah described the initiative as a welcome development for private school operators, noting the enthusiasm among institutions willing to participate.

“The arrangement is an attractive arrangement for these private SHS. The private school owners are very happy with this initiative and arrangement,” Gyetuah said.

The inclusion of private schools in the Free SHS policy forms part of the government's broader strategy to deliver equitable and inclusive access to secondary education.

It also fulfills a campaign promise to extend the Free SHS programme to the private sector.

MRA/EB

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