The Proprietor of Barimah Duah Memorial School, Mr. Barimah Duah, has called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Education to abolish the government’s 30% Priority Placement System, arguing that it unfairly denies private school students admission to top public Senior High Schools.
According to Mr. Barimah Duah, the 30% Priority Placement System, which reserves 30% of slots in Category A public SHSs exclusively for public school students, discriminates against private school students. This leaves the remaining 70% of spots open to both public and private school graduates, creating what he described as an “unfair disadvantage” for private school students who have earned high marks and deserve equal access.
He explained that while the system was originally intended to promote equity for students from disadvantaged public schools, it is based on an inaccurate perception that private schools are inherently better resourced.
He argued that the policy undermines hardworking students in private schools and called on policymakers, especially the Ministry of Education, to implement a merit-based placement system that is fair to all Ghanaian students. “My demand is about justice for every student who dreams of a brighter future through education,” he said.
Mr. Barimah Duah highlighted Article 25 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, which affirms every individual’s right to establish and attend private schools. He emphasized that the current policy infringes upon the constitutional rights of private school students and urged the government to address what he called a “grave injustice.”
Speaking in an interview with Silver FM’s Akwadaa Nyame during the 68th Independence Day celebrations, organised by the Assembly Member for the Sokoban Electoral Area, Mr. Duah also appealed to the government to support private schools with capitation grants.
According to him, children in private schools have parents who also pay taxes to the government, hence they must also benefit from the support public schools receive.
He lamented that successive governments have failed to provide private schools across the country with the necessary teaching and learning materials to improve educational standards. He, therefore, appealed to the government to reconsider its policies and extend support to private schools.
Mr. Duah further stated, *“Capitation grants are meant for all Ghanaian children of school-going age in basic schools. Private schools also have basic schools, and we educate Ghanaian children. It is, therefore, unfortunate that the government denies students in private schools this support, demonstrating its unwillingness to complement the efforts of private education at the basic level.
But we believe that, in due time, capitation grants, textbooks, chalk, and all essential logistics that make teaching effective in the classroom will be provided by the government to private schools.”*
He stressed that private schools play a crucial role in Ghana’s education sector and should not be overlooked in policies that seek to improve education nationwide.
