25 private SHSs join free SHS programme for 2025 admissions

For the first time since the introduction of the Free SHS policy, 25 private senior high schools have been added to Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), has approved these private institutions under a pilot initiative to expand access to second-cycle education. The selected schools are listed under a newly introduced Category E and will appear on school selection forms for incoming students.

According to the Ministry, this move is intended to provide more options for candidates and ease the burden on public SHSs, particularly in areas where public school infrastructure is stretched.

“These schools are co-educational day institutions located across all 16 regions and offer programmes in General Arts, General Science, Business, Technical, Visual Arts, Home Economics, and Agriculture,” the statement said.

To give candidates ample time to review these new options, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has extended the deadline for the 2025 school selection process to Wednesday, June 25, 2025. This was confirmed in a statement signed by Mr. Prince Agyemang-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instruction Division at GES.

The initiative targets communities where public SHSs are over-subscribed and unable to accommodate all qualified students. It is part of broader efforts to make second-cycle education more accessible, equitable, and inclusive.

“This milestone reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to equity and access in education,” the statement noted, adding that the pilot programme will be carefully monitored and evaluated for possible expansion in the future.

As part of implementation, the selected private schools will undergo capacity-building sessions and assessments to ensure they meet Free SHS standards. The Ministry of Education, GES, and GNACOPS will work together to provide oversight, training, and infrastructure support as needed.

The inclusion of private SHSs in the national placement system marks a significant shift in policy, highlighting a collaborative approach to meet the growing demand for quality education.