The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has praised the Government of Ghana for what it calls a historic and progressive decision—the inclusion of 60 private Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy for the 2025/2026 academic year. In a press release issued on July 20 and signed by its National Executive Director, Oberto Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, the council expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for recognising the important role of private schools within the national education system.
“This progressive move marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s educational transformation journey,” the statement read. “It underscores the Government’s commitment to inclusive, collaborative education delivery and reaffirms the vital role of private schools in advancing national development goals.”
The 60 selected private SHSs, which span all regions of the country, have been approved to admit students under the Free SHS policy for the upcoming academic year. GNACOPS emphasised that these schools are expected to maintain high standards of transparency, accountability, and academic excellence.
To the broader private education sector, GNACOPS acknowledged the concerns from schools that have not yet been included in the initiative and assured them that efforts are underway to expand the program in future phases. “We encourage continued patience, preparation, and compliance with regulatory standards,” the release stated.
GNACOPS also urged the newly approved schools to serve as “ambassadors of excellence” to demonstrate that the private sector is a capable and credible partner in delivering free, equitable, and quality education to all Ghanaian children.
The statement concluded by reaffirming GNACOPS’s commitment to shaping education policy, deepening stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that private education remains a pillar in Ghana’s national development agenda.
Below are the 60 private SHSs in the Free Senior High School
By: William Narh
