The government has unveiled plans to extend the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy to include private senior high schools, starting from the next academic year.
This significant policy shift was announced during the launch of updated school selection guidelines for candidates preparing for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Under the revised guidelines, students will now be able to choose up to seven schools instead of the previous six. The selection period runs from May 27 to June 6.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 27, Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, explained that the inclusion of private schools in the FSHS initiative is part of a broader effort to expand educational access and ease the pressure on public schools, particularly by phasing out the double-track system.
“As part of our campaign commitments, we’ve worked steadily to integrate private SHSs into the Free SHS programme,” Dr. Apaak said.
“There have been extensive consultations and we are confident that private schools are ready and capable of delivering under this policy.”
He emphasized that this move not only fulfills a key manifesto pledge but also marks a strategic step toward reducing overcrowding and eventually eliminating the double-track calendar.
