“Long-Awaited Breakthrough”: Private Senior High Schools Included in Ghana’s Free SHS Policy

The Conference of Heads of Private Second Cycle Schools (CHOPSS) has enthusiastically hailed the Ghanaian government’s decision to integrate private senior high schools (SHSs) into the Free SHS policy. Describing it as a “long-awaited breakthrough,” CHOPSS believes this marks a transformative new chapter for Ghana’s education sector.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, June 14, Richard Kyei Naphtali, the Public Relations Officer of CHOPSS, expressed immense joy at the announcement. “Excitement is an understatement. We are more than elated,” he stated, conveying the profound relief and optimism felt by private school proprietors. “We think that it’s welcoming news. It is a long-awaited news. It is something we’ve always wanted to have, and I think it is the greatest opportunity we’ve been given. It is good.”

The groundbreaking announcement was initially made on Monday, May 27, by the Ministry of Education during the launch of revised school selection guidelines for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates. Under the updated policy, BECE candidates now have the flexibility to choose up to seven schools, an increase from the previous limit of six. Crucially, private SHSs are now officially included in the list of eligible institutions covered by the government’s flagship Free SHS programme.

For CHOPSS, this inclusion transcends a mere policy adjustment; it represents a hard-won victory achieved after years of persistent advocacy. Naphtali emphasized the significance of the moment, noting, “This inclusion marks a turning point for private institutions. We have consistently called for a level playing field and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national education delivery. Today, we have that chance.”

To accommodate this significant change and allow students ample time to make well-informed decisions, the school selection window, which opened on May 27, has been extended from its original closing date of June 6 to June 25. This extension provides a crucial period for students, parents, and guardians to explore the newly available options within the private school sector under the Free SHS initiative.

Source: http://thepressradio.com