Ghana National Associstion of Private Schools (GNASP) is a non-political and non-sectarian body comprising the largest umbrella body of private school owners at pre-tertiary level in Ghana.
GNAPS advocates for the support of private schools in Ghana, to promote and protect their economic and social interests, and support their development and management. Championing the interests of low fee private schools, it serves as an information link between Ghana Education Service and public and private Schools within Ghana’s districts.
Nana Kwadjo Somiah, Sefwi Ntakamu Chief and Abakomahene of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Council has called upon the government to provide support to various private schools in order to enhance the quality of education in Ghana.
During his speech on behalf of the National House of Chiefs President who doubles as the overland of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Council Ogyaahoho Yaw Gyebi II, at 29th General Conference of the Ghana National Associstion of Private Schools held at Bibiani in the Western North Region the traditional ruler emphasized that many private schools face challenges in adequately training their teachers to match the standards set by public schools.
Additionally, these schools lack the necessary teaching and learning materials for both teachers and students. Therefore, it would be appropriate for the government to extend the same level of support it provides to public schools to private educational institutions.
“I want the government to share part of the things it gives public schools to private educational institutions. Also, the government should help them train their teachers so as to reach the standard of public schools in order to raise the level of Ghana’s education.”he added.
The traditional ruler therefore appealed to government,Ministry of education and Ghana Education Service to pursue policies that will enhance the contributions of private schools to national development.
President for the Ghana National Private Schools (GNAPS) Prof. Damasus Tuurosong on his part stated that the current school placement system is hurting private schools across the country.
He streesed that private schools do not benefit from the government policy of the 30 per cent enrolment quota enjoyed by public students entering into Second Cycle Institutions.
In his view, the system is working against them because parents remove their wards from the private schools into public ones, to enjoy the 30 per cent quota of being placed in category ‘A’ school.
“Students get enrolled in government school during their second year and surprisingly such students excel in the basic exams. This shows that private schools produce the best students sadly these students leave to benefit from the placement system,” he mentioned.
He believes that the move is to make education in public schools attractive hence the introduction of the 30 per cent quota into Senior High Schools (SHS).
Mr Damasus decried that the policy is running down the private schools which some time ago was described as the ‘engine of growth.
Touching on employment, he said these private educational centers have employed young people thereby decreasing the unemployment rate.
He said private schools play crucial role in educating the Ghanaian child and therefore deserve support under interventions targeting the poor.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Hamza Mohammed
