Private SHSs have vacancies for all 54,985 BECE candidates denied placement — GNACOPS

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) says 85 private Senior High Schools across the country have vacancies that can accommodate the 54,985 candidates who missed placement into SHS after the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

According to GNACOPS, the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between government and the Council, under which the 85 private schools currently operate the Free SHS policy, provides an immediate framework for addressing the situation.

The Council is therefore calling on the Ministry of Education to activate and expand the use of the existing agreement rather than begin negotiations for a new arrangement.

GNACOPS says its member schools are ready to admit the affected candidates into accredited private SHS programmes and provide the support needed to help them continue their education.

The schools are also prepared to offer structured remedial and bridging programmes aimed at addressing foundational gaps before students begin preparations for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

GNACOPS says the private schools have the infrastructure, academic expertise and capacity required to provide quality instruction and prepare the students for strong WASSCE outcomes.

It believes the immediate challenge is not the absence of school places but the need for government to direct the affected candidates to available vacancies within the existing partnership.

The Council described the situation as an urgent national concern, warning that the affected candidates risk having their academic journeys stalled.

“Behind every one of these figures is a child whose academic journey now stands at risk of stalling – and a family whose hopes rest on that child’s continued education,” GNACOPS said.

The Council added: “We cannot, as a country, allow nearly 55,000 young Ghanaians to be left without a pathway forward.”

GNACOPS says it is ready to mobilise its member schools immediately once government gives the directive.

It also wants the process to be undertaken in coordination with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

The Council has consequently called for an urgent engagement with the Minister of Education and other relevant stakeholders to finalise the arrangements for absorbing the candidates under the existing collaboration.

GNACOPS argues that because the MoU and participating schools are already in place, a fresh agreement should not be necessary to address the placement challenge.

“What is needed now is not a new agreement, but the political will to direct these candidates to the vacancies that already exist within the partnership,” the Council said.