GNAPS submits proposal to ex-President John Mahama
By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra
The leadership of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has outlined a list of demands it expects from the political parties vying for the 2024 election.
These demands were presented at the launch of the GNAPS Week Celebrations in Accra, where the President of GNAPS, Professor Damasus Tuurosong, emphasized that the association would only consider offers from parties willing to address its concerns.
The list of demands includes the abolishment of the 30% priority placement system, government absorption of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for private schools, and the extension of the Free Senior High School programme to cover private school students.
Furthermore, GNAPS called for amendments to the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020, Act 1023, to eliminate what they view as exorbitant charges imposed by entities like the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), the National Teaching Council (NTC), and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NACCA).
They also urged the government to recognize low-income private schools as social interventions and to review property rates and business operating permits charged by local assemblies.
Finally, GNAPS appealed to politicians to address the national economy to create a conducive environment for private schools. Professor Tuurosong stressed the importance of the Ministry of Education acknowledging the crucial role of private education players and expressed concern about the high fees, which he believes disproportionately affect parents from deprived communities.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, a special guest at the launch, emphasized the need for stakeholders to collaborate to address issues in the education sector.
He criticized the current state of public education and urged a review of government policies, emphasizing that all Ghanaian children deserve equal opportunities regardless of the type of school they attend.
Mahama highlighted the complementary role of the government and the private sector in education, pledging to convey the concerns of private school administrators to his party for consideration in developing its manifesto.
The Public Relations Officer of the Conference of Heads of Private Secondary Schools (CHOPSS), Kyei Baffour Naphteli, echoed the need for unity to address the challenges facing the education sector.
He expressed concern about the erosion of partnerships among private schools due to unfavorable government policies, leading to the closure of many private schools nationwide.
