Government extends Free SHS to Private schools

On October 16, 2025, Ministry of Education signed an MoU with the Conference of Heads of Private Second Cycle Schools, formalizing the inclusion of selected private SHSs in the Free SHS policy. This move according to the government will expand access to second-cycle education and reduce pressure on public Senior High Schools.

Factcenta highlights the most important facts of the news below:

• The inclusion of private SHSs in the Free SHS program is expected to start in the 2026/2027 academic year.
• Government will provide Ghs994 annually per student to support private SHSs participating in the Free SHS program.
• Over 60 private SHSs were selected for inclusion in the Free SHS program.
• Over 150,000 students will be assigned to the private senior high schools through the computerized placement system.
• Government goal is to expand access to secondary education, reduce overcrowding in public schools and phase out the obnoxious double-track system.
• Government plans to provide capacity-building and infrastructure support to ensure compliance with Free SHS standards.
• The private SHSs participating in the program are classified under Category E in the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
• This initiative is the first time private SHSs have been incorporated into the Free SHS program since its inception in 2017.
• The selected private SHSs are located across all 16 regions of the country.