Govt asked to establish Governing body to oversee private schools
The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) citing the high number of private schools in the country has called on the government to establish a centralized governing body to oversee private schools.
In a social media post sighted by Pretertiary.com, the Private Schools Council said private schools play a significant role in the country’s education sector, providing additional educational opportunities for students, particularly in areas where public schools are overcrowded or under-resourced.
“Private schools also increase access to education for students who may not have been able to attend public schools due to various reasons.
Furthermore, they offer high-quality education, with well-trained teachers, modern facilities, and a focus on academic excellence,” GNACOPS said in the social media post.
The Council said there are approximately 22,000 private schools in Ghana, catering to the educational needs of thousands of students. Hence, the central government must establish a governing body to oversee its operations.
It also said despite their significant contributions, private schools in Ghana face several challenges, including lack of standardization, limited access to resources, and inadequate support.
GNACOPS has again urged the government to consider appointing either a Deputy Minister or a Director General specifically in charge of the private education sector to ensure that it receives the necessary support and resources to thrive.
The Private Schools Council appeal follows John Dramani Mahama who is now president-elect pledge to establish a Private Education Service for the private education sector if voted into power in the December 7, 2024 election.
The pledge to establish the Private Education Sector was made individually by representatives of the New Patriotic Pary and National Democratic Congress during the Multimedia Group’s 3rd Edition of the Sectorial Debate.
“The next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will consider establishing the Private Education Service as a crucial conduit to oversee private education delivery in Ghana
We have already promised an inclusive government of education delivery, where private senior high schools
will be part of the Free SHS policy,” a representative for the National Democratic Congress told stakeholders at the event.
On the part of the National Executive Director of Ghana National Council of Private Schools, Enoch Kwasi Gyetuah he said the Private Education Service will regulate private education in Ghana separately from the Ghana Education Service.
The Private Schools Council Director said the establishment of the Private Education Service is in line with Article 25(2) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, which guarantees the right to establish and maintain private education and participation in the education sector.
