Free SHS was not introduced to collapse Private Schools - Barbara Ayisi

Deputy Minister of Education, Barbara Asher Ayisi has said the implementation of the free senior high school, was not introduced to collapse private secondary schools as speculated by stakeholders in that sector.

The Deputy Minister was speaking in an interview with Rainbow Radio’s Francis Armah Frimpong, after the legislator delivered a statement at the annual conference of heads of private secondary schools.

The Deputy Minister allayed the fears of private school owners and stated further that, the implementation is a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the private secondary schools.

She also assured the private heads of government’s commitment to provide opportunities for the sector.

Government will continue to partner the private sector and ensure that Ghanaian youth get better and quality education.

The Deputy Minister bemoaned the overcrowding in some private schools and went on to say that, some of the schools operate with the aim of making more money and not necessarily provide quality education for students in their schools.

The free senior high school was launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo some few months ago.

At the launch the president said government has decided to use the proceeds from the country’s natural resources to help educate the population to drive our economic transformation, stressing that instead of the revenues from the country’s mineral and oil resources ending up in the hands of a few people, the most equitable and progressive way of using these revenues is to educate and empower the population to strengthen the nation.

“In so doing, we would be on the way to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal no. 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable education, and the promotion of lifelong opportunities for all. As co-Chair of the Advocacy Group of Eminent Persons of the SDGs, their implementation is a matter of the highest public priority for me,” the President added.