The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has expressed dissatisfaction with the central government’s move to include private Senior High Schools in the flagship Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
The General Secretary of the pre-tertiary teacher union, Mr Thomas Musah, has warned that the decision to extend Free SHS to private second-cycle schools could further strain already limited educational resources.
“We don’t want the situation where tomorrow the government will come and tell us that there are no resources to teach in the public schools, and so we are adding on to those that parents have to pay,” The GNAT member said.
He added, “Already we have been calling for parents who can pay fees to pay or should be made to make some contributions. We have not yet been able to get all these things done. So, to be adding on to the already existing burden will be serious, and I have some difficulty with it.”
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Secretary’s concern comes after Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, on May 27, 2025, announced that government-private Senior High Schools have been included in the Free Senior High School.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, May 27, Dr Apaak said the move was part of the government’s long-term strategy to ease pressure on public schools and ultimately bring an end to the double-track system.
He noted that the inclusion of private institutions in the Free SHS programme had been on the policy agenda since the current administration assumed office and would now be implemented following extensive consultations.
“As part of our campaign promise, we have been working diligently to bring on board private senior high schools in the delivery of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme,” the Deputy Minister for Education stated.
He added that “Meetings have been held, engagements have been done, and we are very certain that with the diligence we expect from our side and the eagerness of the private schools to participate, the private schools will deliver in their participation.
We believe strongly that in fulfilling this manifesto campaign promise, this is going to serve as an artery in helping us bring an end to the double-track system.”
Dr Clement Apaak indicated that the government decision to roll out Free SHS in private Senior High Schools follows encouraging feedback received by the Ministry of Education (MoE) from private secondary schools.
The Deputy Minister in Charge of Education indicated that many of the private second-cycle schools in the county have expressed readiness to meet the standards and requirements of the Free Senior High School framework.
The Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency added that this collaboration would not only help expand capacity but also ensure a more equitable distribution of educational opportunities across the country.
The Deputy Minister of Education made the remarks during the launch of new guidelines for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School and Private second cycle school selection process.