Private Schools Protest Against Government’s 30% Priority Placement System
The heads of Private Schools in Ghana have joined forces to protest against the government’s 30% priority placement system, which they claim undermines the rights and freedom of their students.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra, Professor Damasus Tuurosong, President of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS), emphasized that every Ghanaian child deserves equal access to public Senior High Schools (SHSs), regardless of whether they attended public or private school.
Professor Tuurosong highlighted the significant role private schools play in providing quality education to underserved communities, stressing that the 30% placement system contradicts the principles of equal opportunity and meritocracy.
He noted that this system penalizes students for attending private schools, despite their academic achievements, and undermines the values of fairness and equal access.
The GNAPS President revealed that despite four years of unsuccessful attempts to dissuade the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ghana Education Service (GES) from implementing this system, they are now exploring legal action.
On November 8, they presented a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), detailing their objections to the system’s operationalization.
Another leading member of the group Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah supported Professor Tuurosong’s stance, citing Article 25(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to establish and maintain private schools.
He emphasized that the current system contradicts this constitutional right and urged the government to reconsider its priority placement policy
The private schools are calling for an immediate abolition of the 30% priority placement policy in favor of a merit-based system for all students.
With the fate of deserving students from private schools hanging in the balance, the government’s response to this protest will be crucial in ensuring equal educational opportunities for all Ghanaians.
Source: Gideon Kotey
