The Ministry of Education has, for the first time, approved 25 private senior high schools (SHSs) for inclusion in the 2025 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) under Ghana’s Free SHS policy.

The landmark move is aimed at expanding access to quality second-cycle education, particularly in areas where public SHSs are oversubscribed.

The selected private schools classified as Category E are co-educational day institutions located across all 16 regions. They offer a wide range of academic programmes, including General Arts, General Science, Business, Technical, Visual Arts, Home Economics, and Agriculture.

In a statement signed by Prince Agyemang-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instruction Division at the Ghana Education Service (GES), the school selection deadline has been extended to Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to allow candidates ample time to consider these new options.

The inclusion of private SHSs forms part of a pilot phase of the Free SHS expansion programme, implemented in collaboration with the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS). The pilot specifically targets areas where infrastructure limitations prevent public SHSs from accommodating all qualified students.



“This milestone reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to equity and access in education,” the statement noted.

As part of the rollout, the selected schools will undergo capacity-building programmes and assessments to ensure compliance with operational standards under the Free SHS policy. The Ministry, GES, and GNACOPS will provide training, oversight, and infrastructure support where necessary.