By Gifty Boateng
Government is set to roll out the Free Senior High School (FSHSs) in private schools, to ease the pressure on public schools.
The programme is earnestly going to commence in the next academic year, the government has assured.
Deputy Minister for Education Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has indicated that extensive engagements have already been had and stakeholders are committed to the course and eager to implement it.
The policy, initiated by the erstwhile government in 2017, was implemented with exclusion of private schools. Because of it free nature, the private schools were hugely abandoned.
In the public schools however, there was serious congestion, forcing the government to hurriedly design the contentious Double Track System, where students of the same year group, go to school at different times because of the lack of space, teachers and others.
Though very convenient, it came with its own challenges with many parents speaking against it.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), criticized the track system and assured that, if given political power, it will collapse it by bringing on board the private schools, to satisfy both public and private schools.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, May 27 in Accra, Dr Apaak said due to the meetings and engagements they have had so far, he is of the firm believe that the expansion to private schools will be successful.
“Let me state that as part of our campaign promise, we have been working very diligently to bring on board private senior high schools to participate in the delivery of the Free Senior High School programme. Meetings have been held, engagements have been done, and we are very certain that the diligence we expect from our side and the eagerness by the private schools, we know the private schools will deliver,” he said.
He added “We believe very strongly that, in fulfilling this campaign promise, this is going to serve as artery in helping us to bring an end to what we all describe as the obnoxious double track”.
At the same press conference, the government also announced that, candidates sitting for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will be requested to select seven schools of their choice for placement before they sit for the external examination.
The Free Senior High School Secretariat, says the move is geared towards easing the pressure on parents and pupils during the placement process.
Benita Sena Okity Duah, the National Free SHS Coordinator, made this known during the press conference today. In the past, pupils were allowed to choose their preferred schools after sitting for the BECE.
This brought about serious agitation and confusion among parents and guardians.
Concerns were also raised over poor placement outcomes, with several students complaining they weren’t placed in the schools they actually chose.
The process, the Coordinator announced, will start now and will end in June 6.
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ledzokuku constituency said, “This year’s placement starts immediately and will end on June 6, candidates who wish to enter SHS/TVET schools must with guidance from parents, guardians and school authorities, select seven schools in total, five main and two alternatives.”
She offered more explanation saying, “Your five main schools should be ranked in order of placement with the first being the most preferred choice, your two alternatives should be selected from appendix three for consideration if not placed in any of the five main choices.
Select programmes and residential preferences in each of the schools, three boarding and two day schools. Candidates may select one category B as boarding and another category B school as day, candidates may also select one category C school boarding and another category C school as day.”
According to her, choices made cannot be changed and the candidate can also not choose more than one from category A and others.
“Candidates placed in any of the school choices will not be changed, candidates cannot also choose more than one from category A, candidates cannot select two schools from category B, candidates may select all five schools from category C, three boarding two day,” she cautioned.