Despite the introduction of Free Senior High School (SHS) education in Ghana, many parents continue to prefer paying fees to send their children to private Senior High Schools (SHS).
The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, aimed to provide free access, equity, and equality to Ghanaian students at the secondary education level. Since its inception, over 2.5 million students have benefited, with a total allocation of GH¢12.88 billion and an average annual allocation of GH¢1.84 billion.
In spite of this significant investment, many parents, including high-profile personalities, still opt for private education.
During the maiden graduation ceremony of Bright Senior High School, recognized as one of the best private schools in Ghana, parents emphasized the superior quality, discipline, and conducive learning environment of private schools as their reasons for choosing private education.
“Free Education is something that everybody has his own choice. I personally prefer private schools. Because if you look at Free Education government is doing the best but not up to the standard”, a parent said.
He continued that “as of now some of them [in public SHS] are hungry. No food. Tomorrow they vacate. They home to school small they go home three months you don’t your stand. But private schools come, you pay for everything and give you time for vacation then you are settled. They also take care of the children well. When they are sick, they take good care of the children hard before they call you but government school tomorrow I am sick today I’m sick go to hospital to see the children they are suffering. No food nothing so I prefer private school” John Akrong, a parent explained
Another parent, George Kwame Ofori said “The moral fiber in our institution now is also breaking down, and as such if teachers are putting these students into order. Here we brought them here and we tell them to do what is expected of them to bring up the kids to the rightful standard for us. So the moral fiber is upheld in private school as compared to the government”.
Some parents also urged the government to include private schools with high educational standards in the Free SHS policy.
“Yes, it is good to include private schools who are doing well into the policy because it is all our taxpayer’s money they are using to fund it” A parent posited.
“Provided the private school authorities will still maintain that discipline. Because government will have to pay and when the government doesn’t pay they feel reluctant to take care of the children. So it all depend on government availability of the funds for O private schools”.
Dr. Martin Otu Offei, a Senior Lecturer and NDC Parliamentary candidate for New Juaben South, reiterated John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to enrolling private schools in the Free SHS policy if elected.
Dr. Otu Offei, whose children were enrolled in Bright SHS singles out the school for its quality education.
“We have to choose Bright SHS and use them as an example for this intervention to become an academic excellent center. Indeed children in private schools are also Ghanaian if they finish university and become medical doctors they treat everyone so must support them
“My son is an example of what has happened in this school so it is important for people to understand that when they go to universities they perform very well. The standard excellence. Even among the teachers, there are people with Ph.D. very experienced teachers that have gone on retirement here” Dr. Otu Offei said.
Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa North Alhaji Umar Bodinga whose son completed Bright SHS underscored the need for the government to support private school education.
“My son was here he had 7As in 2022 and 1B. He is a product of Bright Senior High. Now he is at the University of Ghana pursuing IT. He is performing well. So it is time the government also begins to start supporting. That’s why last two years when I visited the school I gave them 10 LED streetlights”.
The Abuakwa North Municipal Director of Education Grace Adza-Wude said the contribution of private schools in the education sector can’t be underestimated and hence pledged to include them in capacity building program to ensure quality education is enhanced.
Vice President of Bright SHS, Mr. Dominic Acquah, explained that the graduation ceremony has been instituted as an annual event due to demand by some foreign universities from their old students as evidence of graduating from High school.
He said Bright SHS will continue to become a beacon of academic excellence in Ghana. He was optimistic this year’s batch of the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would sustain the 100% pass rate of the school and improve the number of candidates who obtain 8As.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
