The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has underscored the vital role that private schools play as partners with the government in delivering quality education to Ghanaian children. Speaking at the launch of the 2024 annual week celebration of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, Mr Mahama commended the significant contributions of private schools in the educational sector.
He praised private schools as trailblazers and pacesetters who introduce innovative teaching techniques and procedures into the system. Mr Mahama highlighted the Montessori curriculum as an example, noting that private schools were the first to implement it before some public schools adopted the methods to enhance teaching and learning.
In addition, Mr Mahama emphasized that private schools are better equipped to handle special needs children due to their lower teacher-to-pupil ratio. He pointed out that public schools have larger class sizes, making it difficult for teachers to cater to all children, especially those with special educational requirements. Therefore, private schools play a critical role in the education sector.
Mr Mahama assured the association of private schools that an NDC government would prioritize education and collaborate with all stakeholders in the industry to evaluate the entire education structure from basic to tertiary levels. He outlined plans to invest heavily in basic education starting in 2025 to establish a solid foundation for the education sector.
Regarding secondary education, the NDC leader pledged to include private secondary schools in the free SHS program, citing their adequate infrastructure and human resources to support the initiative. Mr Mahama referenced a recent Edu-Watch report that highlighted the financial burden still shared by parents and the government at the secondary education level, with parents bearing approximately 77% of the cost of their children’s education despite the implementation of the free SHS policy.
