Private schools want boarding subsidies redirected to day schools to ease SHS placement crisis

Private schools are calling for a major rethink of government’s approach to senior high school support, proposing that subsidies currently benefiting boarding students be redirected to day schools to help ease the growing pressure on the SHS placement system.

The proposal comes amid continuing concerns over congestion, limited boarding spaces and the difficulties faced by students who fail to secure places in their preferred senior high schools.

Private schools propose a new approach

The private school sector believes redirecting part of the resources used to support boarding arrangements could provide a practical way to expand access to secondary education.

Under the proposal, more emphasis would be placed on supporting day students, particularly those who could attend schools closer to their homes instead of competing for limited boarding spaces.

The approach, proponents argue, could reduce the pressure on existing boarding facilities while creating more opportunities for students affected by the placement challenges.

SHS placement crisis intensifies

Ghana’s SHS placement system has repeatedly faced pressure as demand for places in popular schools continues to exceed available capacity.

Students and parents have often been left frustrated when their preferred schools are unavailable, forcing them to consider alternative institutions or seek solutions outside the initial placement arrangements.

Private schools argue that some of this pressure could be reduced if more students were encouraged and supported to attend quality day schools within their communities.

Subsidies could ease pressure

The proposal is based on the argument that government resources should be deployed in a way that maximises the number of students who can access secondary education.

Rather than concentrating resources around boarding arrangements, private school operators believe financial support for day-school students could help absorb some of the excess demand.

Such a policy, they argue, could also give parents more options while reducing the intense competition for places in boarding schools.

Bigger debate over Ghana’s SHS system

The proposal is likely to fuel a broader conversation about how Ghana should manage the increasing demand for secondary education.

While the government continues to expand access to SHS education, stakeholders are also calling for innovative solutions to infrastructure constraints and the persistent pressure on the placement system.

For private schools, redirecting some boarding-related subsidies towards day schools could be one way of tackling the problem.

The proposal now puts the spotlight on policymakers to consider whether a shift in funding priorities could help decongest boarding schools, expand access and reduce the annual anxiety surrounding SHS placement.