The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has described the formulation and implementation of education policies in Ghana as “erratic” and “problematic” at best. The Association says this has affected Ghana’s educational standards at the global level.
The Acting President of GNAPS, Dr. Damasus Tuurosong tagged the latest Pre-tertiary Education Bill which is before Parliament as one of such policies that cannot achieve its potential of improving education in Ghana. Dr. Tuurosong said the new Bill if passed would see private pre-tertiary institutions pay for more certification, face stiffer punishment while offering almost nothing in terms of reliefs for private education institutions.
He said this at GNAPS’ Annual Week Celebration at Wa. His lecture focused on the “New Pre-tertiary Education Bill; Private Schools in Perspective”.
The Pre-tertiary Education Bill was laid in Parliament in 2019. The objective of the Bill is to provide for a more decentralized pre-tertiary education system. The Bill also aims at producing individuals with the requisite knowledge and skills to become functional citizens for the development of the country.
Part One of the bills provides for a decentralized basic education system in Ghana. Part Two of the Bill looks at establishing a Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service to oversee the implementation of policies and programs relating to non-tertiary technical and vocational education and skills development.
The Acting President of GNAPS, Dr. Damasus Tuurosong commended government’s attempt to ensure a more decentralised education system at the Pre-tertiary level. Dr. Tuurosong opined that if properly streamlined and passed, the law could help improve education in the country. He was however quick to add that several parts of the Bill affect directly, the private pre-tertiary institutions.
The Acting President of GNAPS called for the amendment of Article 59 of the New Pre-tertiary Education Bill which says “government may provide tax exemptions to registered private basic or secondary schools”.
Dr. Tuurosong said the amendment should read “government shall provide tax exemptions to registered private basic or secondary schools”. He believes this will remove government’s discretionary powers by making the tax exemptions mandatory.
The Acting President of GNAPS, Dr. Damasus Tuurosong encouraged government to make provision for the inclusion of private pre-tertiary institutions in sporting, cultural and educational activities organised under the auspices of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Dr. Tuurosong also lamented the exclusion of GNAPS from the highest decision making body at GES as well as from the District Education Oversight Teams across the country. He stressed that the appointment of Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) to such decision making boards does not represent the totality of all private institutions.
“Even though Faith Based Organisations have made landmark contributions to the private education development in Ghana, Faith Based Organisations are not synonymous with private schools and cannot represent the totality of private schools,” he said.
Dr. Tuurosong mentioned that Sections 51(7), 54(3), 55(6) and 58(3) of the proposed Bill highlights punishments including terms of imprisonment that are too strict for school owners and proprietors. He said more appropriate forms of punishment could be closure of schools and fines rather than terms of imprisonment.
Dr Tuurosong entreated the government to consider implementing the recommendations of GNAPS to ensure that education in Ghana is further improved. The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) was formed in 1987 as an umbrella body for all private pre-tertiary schools in Ghana.
Dr. Tuurosong mentioned that under his leadership, the Association is in the process of setting up a fully furnished national secretariat to be manned by full time personnel to coordinate activities of the group. He tasked proprietors and owners of private schools to join the association to allow it gain a bigger voice in its quest to ensure the betterment of education in Ghana.
Story filed by Mark Smith
