Ghana's Free SHS: 25,000 Students in Private Schools Raise Concerns About Teacher Welfare and Standards
The Ghanaian government has partnered with private schools to absorb excess enrolment from public schools, aiming to reduce congestion. This move, part of the 2025 Free Senior High School (Free SHS) intake, has placed over 25,000 students in private senior high schools (SHSs). However, the arrangement has raised concerns about teacher welfare, funding, and standards.
Critics argue that the estimated GH₵24.85 million allocated for this pilot could have been better spent expanding infrastructure in existing public schools. Despite this, only 25,000 out of 590,000 students were placed in private schools, suggesting infrastructure expansion could still manage the situation.
The employment and welfare of teachers in private schools is uncertain, potentially affecting teaching quality and morale. It is unclear whether private schools must follow Ghana Education Service (GES) rules and maintain public school standards. For the partnership to continue successfully, it must be supported by clear regulations, sufficient funding, and strict compliance with GES standards. Funding for students in private schools totals GH₵994 annually, excluding tuition, but it is uncertain if this covers all essential expenses.
The Ministry of Education has not clarified the selection criteria for the roughly 70 private schools participating or provided a student distribution breakdown. As these students join approximately 590,000 candidates reporting to schools nationwide, ensuring the success of this partnership is crucial. Addressing teacher welfare, funding, and standards in private schools will be key to maintaining the quality of education under the Free SHS program.
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