NDC to include private Senior High Schools in Free SHS programe

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama says the flagship Free Senior High School programme will be extended to private Senior High Schools if his party is elected into power in the 2024 elections.

The former president and leader of the opposition NDC party made the promise speaking at the launch of the 2024 annual week celebration of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) as a special guest of honour.

Explaining the possible inclusion of all private schools in the country in the flagship free High School programme, Mahama said many of them have the necessary infrastructure and human resources to support the programme.

Describing private schools as trailblazers and pacesetters introducing new teaching techniques and procedures into the system, he said private schools are more effective in handling special children because of their teacher-to-pupil ratio.

He explained that public schools have high numbers, making it challenging for teachers to attend to all children, especially those with special needs. Private schools, he noted, are therefore crucial to the education sector.

Mr Mahama assured the association of private schools that an NDC government would prioritise education and bring together all stakeholders in the industry to review the entire education structure from the basic to the tertiary level.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer and leader also stated that his government will in the 2025 academic year invest heavily in basic education to ensure a strong foundation for the education sector.

John Dramani Mahama first made the promise to include private Senior High Schools in the Free SHS programme introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government on September 7, 2020, ahead of the 2020 election.

Former Minister for Education Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as running mate for NDC leader Mahama also gave assurance of private schools’ inclusion in Free SHS giving highlights of the Congress 2020 election manifesto.

“We have every plan and desire to make the free SHS much better,” she said adding that and NDC government will abolish the double-track system by completing all educational structures and e-blocks abandoned by the NPP government.

“The next NDC administration will make the Free SHS better by addressing its challenges and extending the policy to cover students in private Senior High Schools and also abolish the double-track system,” Prof Jane Naana added.

The politician explained that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government under Mr John Mahama will expand the free Senior High School policy to cover prospective students in private Senior High Schools across the country.