The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has indicated that the 60 private schools allocated slots in the Free Senior High School policy will operate as day schools under the initiative.
Mr Kyei Baffour, Head of Communications for the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS), clarified this in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
He explained that while the day component is free, students who opt for boarding facilities at these private schools will need to cover those extra costs themselves.
GNAPS has been advocating for the inclusion of private schools in the Free SHS policy for years, and Mr Baffour expressed their gratitude to the government for finally making it a reality.
“We have for many years pushed to have the government include private schools in the Free SHS policy, and today, we have been granted that opportunity. We extend our gratitude to the government for introducing this initiative,” he stated.
While the initial 60 schools were selected directly by the government, Mr Baffour revealed that going forward, a clear application process will be in place. Interested private schools will need to apply, after which a team will conduct a profiling exercise.
Schools that meet the set criteria will then be added to the programme. This application and profiling process is expected to begin next year, so all interested private schools should prepare to apply, he stated.
“The exercise is open to all interested private schools. You are to file your application, and then the government will deploy a team to conduct profiling. If you meet the criteria, your school will be added to the categories so students can apply and then be sent to the selected schools. However, the 60 that have been added did not go through this process. The application process and profiling will begin next year, so all interested schools will have to apply.”
The Government of Ghana has extended the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to cover 60 private schools.
This inclusion is expected to help reduce congestion in public SHSs and ensure that more students can benefit from quality education, regardless of whether they attend public or private institutions.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
