GNAPS Praises Government’s Inclusion of Private Schools in Free SHS Policy

The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has commended the Ministry of Education for including private senior high schools in the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme. This move is seen as a significant step towards inclusive education and recognizes the valuable contributions of private institutions to national development.

Reduction of Priority Placement Policy

GNAPS also welcomes the government’s decision to revise the 30% priority placement policy for Category A public SHSs, reducing it from 30% to 15%. While the association continues to advocate for the complete abolition of this policy, which it believes creates inequity in access to top-tier SHSs, it acknowledges this reduction as a gesture of goodwill and a move in the right direction.

Call for Full Abolition

GNAPS reiterates its call for the full abolition of the priority placement policy to ensure that all students, public or private, are given equal access to quality education based solely on merit. The association believes that this policy is inherently discriminatory and undermines the principle of equal opportunity for all Ghanaian children.

Collaboration and Engagement

GNAPS looks forward to ongoing, constructive engagement with the Ministry of Education as it works together to successfully integrate private schools into the Free SHS policy and build a fair, inclusive, and sustainable education system for all.

Quote from GNAPS President

“We commend the government’s decision to include private senior high schools in the Free SHS programme and welcome the reduction of the priority placement policy. However, we reiterate our call for the full abolition of this policy to ensure equal access to quality education for all students,” said Prof. Damasus Tuurosong, President of GNAPS.