The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has voiced strong opposition to the government's decision to extend the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to cover private schools.

The move, according to the government, is intended to expand access to secondary education and ease overcrowding in public SHS institutions.

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, announced the initiative on May 27 during the unveiling of revised school selection guidelines for candidates preparing to sit the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

He explained that incorporating private schools into the Free SHS programme is part of a broader strategy to increase capacity and ultimately eliminate the double-track system.

“As part of our campaign promise, we’ve worked diligently to bring private senior high schools on board. Meetings and engagements have been held, and we are confident that with the commitment from both sides, private schools will deliver. This step will also help us eliminate the double-track system.”

However, GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Musah, has expressed concerns over the policy, warning that it could exacerbate existing challenges in the public education sector.

“We don’t want the situation where tomorrow the government will come and tell us that there are no resources to teach in the public schools, and so we are adding on to those that parents have to pay. Already we have been calling for parents who can pay fees to pay, or should be made to make some contributions.

“We have not yet been able to get all these things done. So, to be adding on to the already existing burden will be serious, and I have some difficulty with it,” he said.