The Ghana National Association of Private Schools [GNAPS], claims the introduction of government’s free Senior High School policy has led to the collapse of some 23 private senior high schools in the country.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, the President of the Association, Eric Appiah, indicated that the free SHS programme has drastically reduced enrollment in private Senior High Schools.
“What we have said and continue saying is that the policy is not a bad one, but to roll out a policy without the private senior high schools in Ghana is quite unfortunate…Some schools are folding up regarding enrollment which is quite unfortunate. We had a little over 200 private schools across the country, but as I speak to you about 23 have folded up,” Mr Appiah lamented.
Mr. Appiah was however unable to name the specific schools that had collapsed, but insisted that evidence on collapsed schools were available.
He urged the government to partner with them in the implementation of the Free SHS policy to keep Private Senior High Schools in business.
“All over the world, economies that are thriving are involved in public-private partnership. The Senior High Schools have to be included. How is government introducing free SHS while leaving private schools out? We are engaging government, and we hope that come academic next year, the government will involve us just like the Health Insurance also includes private hospitals and private clinics.”
‘Consider extending free SHS.’
Some heads of private senior high schools have since the introduction of the free SHS programme appealed to the government to extend the policy to their institutions.
The heads, who say they have had to deal with almost empty classrooms since the programme kicked off, say they have been entirely neglected by the government.
There are close to 1,000 secondary schools in Ghana.
Of the number, 562 are public, while the 301 are private schools.
Statistics available suggests that, whereas over 740,000 students gain access to public secondary schools, only 1,300 go to the private ones.
Source: citinewsroom.com
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@Eunice.Your comment reveals the "skin Pain" in your NDC.If you are so concerned about the Private Schools why don't you send your kids there, if you have any? Policies are always introduced with the majority of the populate in mind.
hmm... the government says that there is budget allocated to finance the free SHS, infact it says that it has released the remaining balance the the schools, the schools say they have released nothing and the ministry has not released any list. Yet congestion at the schools persists. if indeed it is true that the funds are available, WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT SEE NO SENSE IN PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE PRIVATE SCOOLS SO THAT THEY TAKE ON SOME OF THE STUDENTS FROM THE CONJESTED SCOOLS. The answer there funds are simply not there. where us they can intimidate the heads of the government schools to "not complain" they can't do same for the private schools who will reveal the ***barred word*** truth.
The issue is if you have a good private school, the rich people will bring their wards. There is a private school in Dodowa which is not even able to enrol the rich candidates who wanted to get admition in that school.
Is this news at all?
You want profit. We want FREE SHS! Listen to the intentions of a Ghanaian. They do not want us to be free of school fees. They only think about their profits!
How is Jubilee House? Have u been paid? still waiting for mine?
Brilliant advice
Your appeal is good but I think you should try to meet the NDC and their members to send their children and wards to such private schools. Since they have no faith in the Free SHS, it stands to reason that they should patronise your private schools. I hope that willhelp matters a lot.