Private schools hail inclusion in Free SHS as historic milestone

The President of the Conference of Heads of Private Schools (CHOPS), I. K. Mensah, has described the inclusion of private senior high schools in the Free SHS programme as a historic milestone.

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education, the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), and CHOPS in Accra, Mr. Mensah said the decision marks a defining moment in Ghana’s education sector.

“We’ve knocked at the doors of government for years,” he said. “If almost 300 members of CHOPS were asked to write an essay about a day we will never forget, it would be 16th October 2025. This is the day the government finally recognized private schools as true partners in the delivery of quality education.”

He said private schools had often felt sidelined despite their contribution to national education.

“Until now, the only time we received any real government support was during COVID-19, when our schools were fumigated,” he recalled. “But today, that story has changed. We are now part of a national effort to ensure no Ghanaian child is left behind.”

Mr. Mensah expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for fulfilling his promise to integrate private schools into the Free SHS rollout.

“When the President met us during the pandemic, he assured us that his government would make private schools part of the education agenda if we get our wheels behind him and he has kept that assurance,” he said.

He pledged that private institutions would uphold high standards throughout the pilot phase.

“Private schools will do our best to make this initiative succeed,” he said. “And, Honorable Minister, we assure you that any school that fails to meet the required standards will be held accountable.”

For this part, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu praised the collaboration as a partnership to expand access and end the double-track system.

He said the agreement forms part of efforts to end the double-track system and increase placement opportunities for students.

“The government is happy to partner with you to resolve the problem of placement and double track, which undoubtedly is affecting the delivery of quality education,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.

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.