The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) is urging the government to eliminate burdensome taxes that are hindering business operations and to reassess property rates and fees for business permits imposed by local authorities.
In addition, GNAPS is calling on the government to revise the Education Regulatory Bodies CT 2020 Act 1023 to reduce the excessive regulatory fees charged by entities such as the National Schools Inspectorate Authority, National Teaching Council, and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
During the recent Ghana National Association of Private Schools and Pre-Tertiary Private Schools Manifesto for the 2024 election in Accra, Professor Damasus Tuurosong, President of GNAPS, highlighted the detrimental impact of high examination fees on private school students. He emphasized that the exorbitant fees, such as the GHC465 registration fee for WASSCE candidates in private SHSs, are causing many students to drop out of school before completing their education.
Professor Tuurosong pointed out that the fees for BECE have surged from GHC77 in 2020 to GHC214.01 in 2024, marking a staggering 178% increase over the past four years. In contrast, private schools have only raised their fees by an average of 45% during the same period.
The GNAPS President emphasized the urgent need for the government to address these financial challenges faced by private schools to ensure that all students have access to quality education without being burdened by excessive fees.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com / Bernard K Dadzie
