The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has commended the Government of Ghana for what it describes as a landmark decision, the inclusion of 60 private Senior High Schools in the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy for the 2025/2026 academic year.
In a statement released on July 20 and signed by its National Executive Director, Oberto Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, GNACOPS praised the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for acknowledging the vital role of private schools within the country’s broader education system.
“This progressive move marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s educational transformation journey,” the statement read.
“It reflects a clear commitment to inclusive, collaborative education delivery and affirms the critical contribution of private institutions to the nation's development goals.”
The 60 selected schools, drawn from across all regions, will begin admitting students under the Free SHS programme beginning in the 2025/2026 academic year—a first in the history of the policy.
GNACOPS underscored the importance of maintaining high standards, urging the selected schools to uphold principles of transparency, accountability, and academic excellence.
The Council also addressed concerns from other private institutions not yet included in the initiative, assuring stakeholders that expansion plans are underway.
“We acknowledge the concerns of schools that were not part of this first phase. We urge continued patience, preparation, and adherence to regulatory standards as the programme is scaled up,” the statement noted.
GNACOPS called on the participating schools to serve as "ambassadors of excellence," demonstrating the private sector’s capacity to deliver free, high-quality education in partnership with the state.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of GNACOPS’s dedication to shaping policy, strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring that private education remains a key pillar in Ghana’s national education agenda.
A full list of the 60 private Senior High Schools included in the Free SHS policy is provided below.
