Private School Proprietors Appeal to Government Over Textbook Discrimination
Proprietors and heads of private basic schools have renewed calls on the government to address what they describe as persistent discrimination against private institutions in the distribution of government-approved textbooks, warning that the situation is undermining effective teaching and learning.
According to the school heads, private schools continue to be excluded from the government’s free textbook distribution programme, even though they are required to teach the same national curriculum as public schools. As a result, they are forced to purchase approved textbooks on the open market at high prices, increasing operational costs and placing additional financial pressure on parents.
The proprietors described the challenge as a long-standing concern that has received little attention over the years, despite the growing role of private schools in Ghana’s education sector. They noted that many private institutions absorb large numbers of pupils and help reduce pressure on public schools, yet they are often left out of key policy interventions.
They are therefore appealing to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to reconsider existing arrangements by extending textbook distribution to private schools or significantly reducing the cost of the materials to make them affordable.
Mr. Isaac Kwadwo Mbro, Proprietor of Calvary Educational Complex in Kumasi, made the appeal during the school’s fifth anniversary celebration. He stressed that private schools are partners in national development and should be treated as such in the implementation of educational policies.
According to him, access to government-approved textbooks is essential for quality instruction and effective curriculum delivery. He argued that denying private schools these materials creates an uneven educational environment and ultimately affects pupils, who are examined under the same national standards regardless of the type of school they attend.
Mr. Mbro called on education authorities to adopt a more inclusive approach that ensures fairness and equity across the sector, emphasizing that every child deserves equal access to quality learning resources.
Speaking at the same event, the General Overseer of the Calvary Charismatic Center (CCC) Church, Pastor Ransford Obeng, urged parents to take greater responsibility for the holistic development of their children. He noted that education should go beyond academic achievement to include moral values, spiritual growth, and social discipline.
Pastor Obeng encouraged parents to work closely with schools to nurture well-rounded individuals who will contribute positively to society.
The appeal by private school proprietors has once again highlighted the need for broader stakeholder engagement in educational policy formulation, particularly in ensuring equity and inclusiveness within Ghana’s education system.
