The government has announced a major expansion of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy to include private senior high schools beginning the next academic year.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 27, during the unveiling of revised school selection guidelines for candidates preparing to sit for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Speaking at a press briefing, Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, stated that the inclusion of private schools in the Free SHS programme forms part of the government’s broader strategy to increase access to secondary education and ultimately phase out the double-track system currently used in public SHSs.
“As part of our campaign promise, we have been working diligently to bring on board private senior high schools in the delivery of the Free SHS programme,” Dr. Apaak said.
“We believe strongly that in fulfilling this manifesto commitment, this is going to serve as an artery in helping us bring an end to the double-track system,” he added.
Dr. Apaak noted that extensive engagements with stakeholders in the private education sector have already taken place, and there is strong interest and readiness from private institutions to participate.
Meanwhile, under the newly released school selection guidelines for the BECE, candidates will now be allowed to choose seven schools, up from the previous six. The selection process will run from Monday, May 27 to Thursday, June 6.
The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, has significantly increased enrollment in senior high schools but has also led to overcrowding, prompting the adoption of a double-track calendar system in many public schools. The government hopes the inclusion of private institutions will ease this burden and enhance the quality of education delivery.
