Under the 2025 school placement system, Ghana’s Free SHS program has expanded its options for BECE candidates nationwide by adding 25 private senior high schools for the first time.
A list of 25 private senior high schools (SHSs) that have been authorized to participate in the 2025 Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) under the Free SHS policy has been made public by the Ministry of Education.
To expand access to high-quality second-cycle education, especially in areas where public SHSs are overcrowded, private SHSs have for the first time been included in the Free SHS program.
The chosen schools, which fall under Category E, are coeducational day schools located in each of the 16 regions. They provide a wide range of academic programs, such as business, technical, visual arts, home economics, agriculture, general arts, and general science.
To give candidates more time to consider these new options, the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced in a statement signed by Prince Agyemang-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instruction Division, that the deadline for school selection has been extended to Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) is working with the Free SHS policy expansion to implement a pilot program that includes these private schools.
Private schools in areas where public SHSs struggle with infrastructure and are unable to accept all eligible students are the focus of the program.
“This milestone reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to equity and access in education,” the statement read.
Additionally, it stated that the pilot project will be closely watched and assessed in preparation for future expansion.
Selected schools will likely go through capacity-building and preparatory assessments as part of the next steps to bring them into compliance with Free SHS operational standards.
Where required, the Ministry, GES, and GNACOPS will work together to arrange infrastructure support, supervision, and training.
