Free SHS placement in private schools raises questions
The Ministry of Education announced that over 25,000 students have been placed in private senior high schools (SHSs) as part of this year’s Free SHS intake.
This initiative is part of a broader partnership with private schools to support the Free SHS programme by absorbing excess enrolment from public schools.
While this effort may help reduce congestion in public schools, several key issues remain unaddressed.
Firstly, the ministry has not clarified the criteria used to select the approximately 70 private schools participating. Nor has it provided a breakdown of how many students each school is accepting.
This lack of transparency is vital for public accountability and to ensure that the distribution benefits students' best interests Funding remains a significant concern.
The government has allocated GH¢331 per student each term, amounting to GH¢994 annually, excluding tuition fees.
It is uncertain whether this sum covers essential expenses, such as, textbooks, uniforms, stationery, maintenance, and extracurricular activities.
If private schools have boarding facilities, the current funding might be inadequate, potentially leading to additional costs for parents and creating disparities between students in public and private schools.
Questions also remain regarding regulatory oversight. Are these private schools obliged to adhere to the Ghana Education Service (GES) regulations?
Will the standards of instruction, discipline, and supervision align with those of public SHSs?
Without clear guidelines, there is a risk of inconsistencies in the quality of education that would be provided.
Teacher employment and welfare contribute to the complexity of the issue.
It is uncertain whether teachers in these private schools will be recruited by the government or the schools themselves, and whether they will receive the same pay and benefits as their counterparts in public schools.
While the government's move aims to uphold the Free SHS policy amid capacity constraints, critics argue that the estimated GH¢24.85 million allocated for this pilot could have been more effectively invested in expanding infrastructure within existing public schools, which would offer a more sustainable long-term solution.
Therefore, if the partnership with private schools is to continue, it must be supported by clear regulations, adequate funding, and strict adherence to GES standards.
Without these measures, there is a real risk that students enrolled in private schools will face inequality under a policy meant to provide free and fair access to secondary education for everyone.
Isaac Ofori,
Tutor, Winneba Senior High School,
Social Activist and Human Rights Advocate.
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