The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has blamed the slow growth of Low Cost Private Schools (LCPS) on the implementation of some policies by the National Teaching Council, an Education Regulatory Body.
The Association during the launch of its Week Celebration noted that, policies such as the Licensure Examination and the prohibition of unlicensed teachers from teaching create a huge burden for the LCPS, which eventually hamper their growth.
GNAPS launched its 2023 week celebration on Thursday, February 27, 2023 in the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga with the theme: Education is a right: stakeholders must support low Cost Private School Children”.
Addressing participants during the launch, the National President of the Association, Dr Damasus Tuurosong said, the National Teaching Council (NTC) is another body that is stifling the growth of Low Cost Private Schools with policies that prohibit any unlicensed teacher from plying the teaching trade as well as the Licensure examination which disadvantages the SHS leaver from teaching in the low cost private school.
He said, “For many years, private schools have always recruited and trained non-trained teachers into results-oriented workers who teach with passion to deliver on education outcomes but the education regulatory bodies Act 2020 Act 1023 prohibits unlicensed teachers from teaching”
“However prior to obtaining the License, one must first be a professional teacher and pass a Licensure Examination. What happens to the SHS leaver who has been teaching in the Low Cost Private Schools all these years and assisting children to obtain excellent grades and sound moral character?” – He quizzed.
Dr Tuurosong noted that, though the NTC has responded to the call by granting Private School teachers the opportunity to have a training program for a fee of GHS 250.00 that will lead to the award of an Emergency Licenses, he raised concerns over the ability of some Low Cost Private Schools to bear the cost.
Rather than ‘suffocating’ LCPS with astronomical charges, Dr Tuurosong urged state agencies most especially the Ministry of Education to extend supports to private schools as it does for public schools.
