GNACOPS accuses MoE of ‘autocratic’ leadership in free SHS policy

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has described the Ministry of Education (MoE) as being autocratic in implementing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program introduced in September 2017.
In a statement sighted by Pretertiary.com, GNACOPS attributed the New Patriotic Party’s loss in the 2024 general election to the Ministry’s mismanagement of the policy and its inability to address systemic issues within the education sector.
“As the dust settles on the 2024 elections, it is apparent that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) inability to retain power can be attributed, in part, to the over-reliance on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy,” it stated.
In its retrospective analysis statement, the Ghana National Private Schools Council (GNACOPS) said the Education Ministry’s missteps in implementing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy were multifaceted.
“One major issue was the Ministry’s refusal to consider alternative ideas, such as partnering with private schools, which led to a narrow focus that ignored pressing issues like feeding, resource management, and inadequacy,” the Council noted.
The Private Schools Council said, among other things, that one of the Ministry of Education’s significant missteps was implementing the 30% SHS Category A placement policy, which discriminatorily affected learners from private schools.
“This policy limited the placement of private school students into top-tier public schools, creating an unfair disadvantage for these learners,” the statement by GNACOPS, Executive Director, Enoch Kwasi Gyetuah stated.
The Private Schools Council indicated that the 2024 computer student placement process was marred by allegations of corruption and lack of integrity.
“The Ministry’s handling of student placements raised concerns about fairness and transparency. Furthermore, the appointment of only party activists into key positions, such as Heads of schools, district, regional, and headquarters, created an atmosphere of mistrust and favouritism,” it stated.
The Council also said the illegal formation of Parent Associations (the so-called PA) was intended to counter the established and incorporated Parents-Teachers Associations, which had a tradition of transparent and collaborative relationships.
It further said the Education Ministry’s website and social media outlets were frequently down and not updated, creating trust issues and undermining the Ministry’s ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
“Ironically, while the Ministry’s official platforms were dormant, officials were busy projecting their personal platforms in the name of portfolio building, using state resources and taxpayers’ money,” GNACOPS said.
To avoid similar missteps in the future, the National Private Schools Council has urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to adopt a more inclusive and divergent approach to policy-making.
“This involves considering alternative ideas and perspectives, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, and encouraging stakeholder feedback and participation.
By doing so, the Ministry can ensure that all voices are heard and valued, leading to more effective and sustainable policies. Effective resource allocation is also crucial, with a focus on distributing essential textbooks and learning materials to all schools,” it concluded in the statement.