MoU with private SHSs aimed at ending double-track system – Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, states that a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and private senior high schools will help eliminate the double-track system in Senior High Schools (SHSs).

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra on Thursday, Mr. Iddrisu described the partnership with the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) and the Conference of Heads of Private Schools (CHOPS) as “a decisive step toward equitable education for all Ghanaians.”

“The government is happy to partner with you to resolve the crisis of placement and the problem of double track, which undoubtedly has affected the delivery of quality education,” he said.

“You don’t need a magician to tell you that when contact hours between students and teachers are reduced, learning outcomes suffer, and that’s what this collaboration seeks to correct.”

The Minister said the agreement would allow thousands of qualified students to be placed in accredited private schools, easing congestion in public institutions.

“Of the 70 schools participating in this pilot, 44,000 vacancies were declared, and we have already placed 25,000 students,” he disclosed. “Otherwise, those 25,000 would have been without schools—and that could have defined a terminal end to the academic dreams of many young Ghanaians.”

Mr. Iddrisu added that the partnership demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness.

“Every Ghanaian child is entitled to equal educational opportunities under the 1992 Constitution,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether a student attends a public or private school; they are all Ghanaians deserving of the same rights and freedoms.”

To cushion private schools involved, the government will provide financial support for students enrolled under the new arrangement.

“We are committing to provide a stipend of at least GH₵250 per student to support their transition into private schools,” the Minister announced. “That’s negotiable, we’ll continue discussions and review it as resources permit, but this is our firm’s starting point.”

He assured GNACOPS and CHOPS that the government remains “deeply committed” to the terms of the MoU, saying budgetary provisions will be included in the 2026 financial statement.