Every child deserves quality education regardless of school type – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing common quality standards across public and private schools, insisting that every child deserves quality education irrespective of the institution they attend.

He said the government would continue working with education regulators to ensure that all schools meet established standards while providing support to institutions that need improvement.

Speaking at the African Philanthropy Network (APN) Biennial Assembly and fireside conversation with the founder and chair of the IDP Foundation in Accra, Dr. Apaak said the government’s approach was anchored on quality, equity and partnership.

“Through the regulators, NaSIA, and the Ghana Education Service, we set clear expectations for every school; we support schools to meet them, and we act where they do not,” he stated.

He stressed that the quality of education received by a child should not be determined by whether they attend a public or private institution.

“A child’s right to learn well does not depend on the type of school she attends,” Dr. Apaak said.

His remarks come amid the government’s recognition of the role played by affordable private schools in expanding access to education, particularly in peri-urban and underserved communities.

Dr. Apaak acknowledged that private individuals establish schools in some communities to provide nearby and affordable learning opportunities for families, complementing government efforts to increase access.

He, however, maintained that recognising the contribution of private schools did not mean the government was abandoning its responsibility to provide public education.

The Deputy Minister also emphasised equity as a central part of the government’s education policy, arguing that regulation should improve school standards without imposing unnecessary costs on parents.

“If an affordable school is serving them well, our job is to help it do better, not to make its life harder. Regulation should raise quality. It should not simply raise costs that get passed on to parents,” he said.

The government further intends to strengthen collaboration with private schools by integrating them into national education data systems, curriculum frameworks and teacher development programmes.

Dr. Apaak said the approach would include opening in-service training to private school teachers, providing access to learning materials aligned with the national curriculum and simplifying registration and compliance processes.

The Ministry also wants to work with financial institutions and development partners to help private school proprietors access affordable credit to improve their facilities and operations.

Dr. Apaak said the government’s broader objective was to ensure that improvements in education reach all children, regardless of the type of school they attend.