By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
The government has officially extended the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy to selected private schools across the country in a pilot initiative aimed at decongesting public schools and ending the double-track system.
Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, announced the policy expansion during a media engagement.
According to the Minister, at least 70 private schools have been selected to participate in the pilot phase, which is expected to benefit 25,000 students nationwide. Each student will receive an annual government subsidy of ₵994 to cover tuition and related academic costs.
“Out of the 70 schools benefiting from this pilot, government has been able to place 25,000 students in private schools,” Hon. Iddrisu said. “Government is committed to providing stipends to support the transition of these students into the private institutions. That is negotiable, and as we go along, we can review and possibly add more.”
He emphasized that the initiative forms part of government’s broader plan to end the double-track system and ensure equitable access to secondary education for all Ghanaian students.
The Minister expressed optimism that the partnership between government and private schools would help absorb excess students from public institutions while maintaining educational quality and inclusivity.
The pilot project is expected to be closely monitored and evaluated before possible expansion in the coming academic years.
