Gov’t to Tentatively Pay GHS 1,500 Per Semester for Free SHS Students in Private Schools – GNACOPS

The Ghana National Council for Private Schools (GNACOPS) has announced that, under a pilot scheme of the Free SHS programme, the government plans to allocate a tentative tuition fee of GHS 1,500 per semester for each student placed in a private Senior High School.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, June 1, GNACOPS Executive Director Enoch Nana Gyetuah disclosed that the initiative is expected to begin with the 2025/2026 academic year in selected private SHSs.

“Government is going to supply us with a tentative amount of GHS 1,500 for tuition per semester,” he stated.

He further explained that participating private schools have already provided their available spaces to the Ministry of Education for consideration during the BECE placement process.

“The schools have declared their vacancies for the Free SHS programme, and this data has been shared with the Ministry,” Gyetuah noted.

He assured the public that student placements would align with the capacity of each school to prevent overcrowding.

“The placement will be done in line with the number of students each private school can accommodate,” he added.

Gyetuah also highlighted that the initiative has been well-received by private SHS operators, many of whom are eager to take part.

“The private SHSs are excited about this arrangement. It’s a welcomed opportunity for them,” he said.

The pilot programme forms part of the Ministry of Education’s broader efforts to widen access to secondary education, reduce pressure on public schools, and gradually eliminate the double-track system. It also reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to incorporating private institutions into the Free SHS policy.