Government to integrate private SHSs into Free SHS programme to ease pressure on public schools
The government has announced plans to include private senior high schools (SHSs) in the Free SHS programme, a move aimed at widening access to senior high education and reducing overcrowding in public schools.
The rollout will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic year.
Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak explained that integrating private schools will help reduce pressure on the oversubscribed Category A and B public schools.
He added that this integration will also assist in phasing out the controversial double-track system currently in use.
Dr. Apaak appealed to parents to be actively involved in the school selection processes for their wards in junior high schools, emphasising its importance.
He said, “Parents are entreated to take a keen interest in this school selection exercise, as this will determine the senior high school their wards will attend after completing the BECE.”
He was explicit about the role of school staff in the selection process, stating, “No head of school or teacher is permitted to fill out the school selection form of any candidate without the consent of the parent or guardian. The school selection form must be signed by the parent or guardian and submitted to the headteacher of the Junior High School where the student attends.”
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Dr. Apaak also warned against any breach of this rule: “Headteachers and teachers must not fill out BECE candidates’ school selection forms without parental consent.”
Addressing parents and guardians, he urged, “We expect you to keep a copy of the school selection form.”
"The school selection exercise has seen several modifications over the years, and one of the major reforms is to allow candidates to select Category C schools that have similar proximities to Category A and B schools".He said.
Highlighting recent reforms to the selection process, Dr. Apaak noted that candidates can now select Category C schools, similar to Category A and B schools, which are often overcrowded.
He concluded by stressing the importance of selecting Category C schools to help ease the pressure on higher-tier schools: “It is important to select Category C schools in order to ease the pressure.”
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