The Conference of Heads of Private Second Cycle Schools (CHOPSS) has clarified that the inclusion of private schools in the government's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme will not be mandatory.

According to CHOPSS Public Relations Officer, Richard Kyei Naphtali, participation in the policy is entirely voluntary and will be open to private schools that meet the required criteria. "It is not compulsory.

It is voluntary, so opportunity will be given for all interested schools to apply," Naphtali explained in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom on Saturday June 14. "Once you apply, government through the GES would have a system in place to profile all the schools that have applied.

And once you qualify, we put you on the system and when wards select the schools, they are posted to the place." He added, "It is not compulsory for all." The clarification comes after the Ministry of Education announced on May 27 that private senior high schools are now eligible for inclusion in the Free SHS programme, following the launch of revised guidelines for school selection by BECE candidates.