The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has expressed serious concerns over the proposed Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill, which is set to be presented to Parliament.
GNAPS has urged the government to proceed with caution on this bill and allow ample time for stakeholder consultations.
Private schools, which make up 49% of educational establishments and account for 33% of pre-tertiary enrolments in Ghana, have been largely excluded from discussions on the Bill.
GNAPS, in a statement signed and issued by its President Prof Damasus Tuurosong on Monday voiced its concerns over this exclusion, stating that it undermines the collaborative spirit necessary for effective educational reforms.
He emphasised the importance of inclusive dialogue to ensure that any changes to the education system are beneficial and sustainable.
The government’s previous failure to consult private schools before implementing the Free SHS policy resulted in several challenges, including overcrowding leading to the Double Track System, feeding issues, and overstretched staff. Prof Tuurosong believes these issues could have been avoided with proper consultation.
One controversial aspect of the proposed Free SHS Bill is the cancellation of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Prof Tuurosong strongly objects to this, arguing that periodic external assessment of learners is crucial in identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and in introducing the right interventions to achieve learning outcomes.
Before the Bill is presented to Parliament, Prof Tuurosong requests that the Minister of Education hold a series of consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including GNAPS, and conduct thorough assessments to understand the potential implications of cancelling BECE and extending SHS to six years.
This, according to him will help identify and address potential challenges to the implementation of the Bill.
Prof Tuurosong said GNAPS remains committed to working collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders to achieve national educational aspirations, including a high-quality, equitable education system for all Ghanaian children.
Through inclusive dialogue and careful planning, he believes that Ghana can benefit from an educational system that supports the aspirations and needs of every learner in the country.
