Mahama Promises To Include Willing Private Schools Under Free SHS

Mahama Promises To Include Willing Private Schools Under Free SHS

  • The National Democratic Congress flagbearer has promised to include available private schools in the free SHS coverage
  • John Mahama hailed the contribution of private schools to providing quality education in Ghana
  • Ghana National Council of Private Schools told YEN.com.gh the promise was a welcome one

National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Mahama has promised to include available private schools in the free SHS coverage.

He said as many of them have the necessary infrastructure and human resources to support the programme would be roped in.

Mahama on free SHS
John Mahama. Source: John Dramani Mahama
Source: Facebook

According to Joy News, Mahama was speaking at the launch of the 2024 annual week celebration of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools.

The former president stressed the importance of private schools as partners with the government in providing quality education.

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He also 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.

Enoch Gyetuah, the National Executive Director of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), an organisation that works with the Ministry of Education to regulate private education in Ghana, welcomed the promise.

Gyetuah told YEN.com.gh that it expected a similar commitment from the New Patriotic Party.

"We have made a similar call to the New Patriotic Party of which, I know they are also considering," he said.
"There is no way you can develop education without the involvement of private education in Ghana… the success of free SHS depends on the private schools.”

Mahama promises to fix problems with free SHS

Also, YEN.com.gh reported that former President John Mahama promised to fix the challenges with the free SHS and NHIS if elected president in the 2024 elections.

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The former president said the current administration had destroyed the flagship education and health policies with its poor implementation and corruption.

The NDC flagbearer for the 2024 polls said this in Kongo in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region as part of his campaign tour.

Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen also expressed his views on Free SHS

The now-independent presidential candidate for the 2024 elections said the Free SHS policy is good but needs to be reviewed.

Every Ghanaian child placed into a public Second Cycle Institution by the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) during the school placement process is eligible for a free SHS education.

Free SHS is safe under the $3 billion IMF bailout

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported in a separate story that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta assured that the free SHS policy would not be affected under the $3 billion IMF programme.

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Ofori-Atta gave the assurance on Thursday, May 18, 2023, during a press conference organised by the IMF and the government of Ghana.

He said that the programme with the Bretton Woods institution protects the vulnerable in Ghanaian society.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.