Every Ghanaian child deserves an equal opportunity to learn — and now, that opportunity is expanding.
The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, has announced a bold new phase in the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme — one that brings selected private schools on board to support access and equity.
Under the initiative, government will provide ₵994 per student annually to enable 25,000 qualified students who could not gain admission into public schools to continue their education in accredited private institutions.
According to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, the partnership reflects government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education for all.
“No Ghanaian child should be left behind simply because of limited space in public schools,” he affirmed.
The move is also expected to ease congestion in public SHSs and gradually phase out the double-track system introduced in 2018. With many private schools already equipped with the needed facilities and trained staff, the collaboration harnesses their potential to complement national efforts in providing quality education.
However, education stakeholders are calling for transparency, timely release of funds, and strong monitoring mechanisms to ensure value for money and accountability throughout the process.
The Ministry has assured that all participating private schools will undergo thorough assessment and accreditation to maintain national standards, with detailed guidelines and the official list of approved schools to be released soon.
This partnership marks an important milestone — one that bridges the gap between public and private education, expands opportunity, and strengthens the foundation of Ghana’s Free SHS dream.
