Why Parents Are Choosing Private Over Public Schools
Byline: By Jasmine
Accra, Ghana — When 35-year-old Lydia Owusu enrolled her son Kobby in a private basic school in Adenta, she did so with mixed emotions. It meant cutting back on luxuries, skipping vacations, and sometimes borrowing money.
“But I had no choice,” she says. “The public school near us had 60 children in one class, and the teacher barely knew their names.”
Like Lydia, an increasing number of Ghanaian parents are opting for private schools — even in low-income communities — in search of smaller classes, tighter discipline, and better academic results. Once seen as a luxury for the elite, private education has become a mainstream response to frustration with the public school system.
The Numbers Behind the Trend
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, private basic school enrollment has steadily risen over the past decade, with over 25% of Ghana’s basic education pupils now in private institutions.
In urban centers like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, some neighborhoods have more private schools than public ones.
“It’s no longer about prestige — it’s about practicality,” says Dr. Yaw Frempong, an education policy expert. “Parents want results, and they’re not getting them in many public schools.”
What’s Driving the Shift?
1. Class Size and Teacher Attention
Public schools often suffer from overcrowding. A single teacher may be assigned to 50–70 students.
“My daughter was struggling with reading,” says Richard, a taxi driver in Kumasi. “Her teacher had no time to help. But in the private school, they gave her one-on-one support. She improved in two months.”
2. Accountability and Supervision
Private schools operate like businesses — if performance drops, parents may withdraw their children. This forces administrators to maintain discipline and academic quality.
“Public school teachers can be late or absent, and there’s little consequence,” says Lydia. “But in private schools, they fear losing pupils.”
3. English Language and Technology Exposure
Many private schools pride themselves on speaking English consistently, offering computer labs, and teaching coding — even at the primary level.
4. Perceived Social Prestige
Even in lower-income areas, private school uniforms carry a certain pride.
“It’s embarrassing when your child can’t speak English,” says Esther, a market trader. “So even if I earn small, I send them to private school.”
The Costs — and Sacrifices
Private school fees can range from ₵500 to ₵3,000 per term, depending on location, facilities, and curriculum. For many families, this represents a significant portion of monthly income.
“I pay ₵750 per term,” Richard says. “I don’t eat out. I don’t buy new clothes. But it’s worth it for my daughter’s future.”
Some parents take loans, join savings groups, or pay in installments to manage the burden.
Public Schools Speak Up
Public school educators acknowledge the challenges — but say they are doing their best under difficult conditions.
“We don’t have enough teachers, textbooks, or even chalk,” says Madam Rose, a basic school teacher in the Central Region. “Yet we’re expected to perform miracles.”
She adds that many public school pupils are from disadvantaged backgrounds and arrive hungry or tired — making teaching even harder.
The Inequality Gap
Education advocates worry that the shift toward private schooling may deepen inequality.
“Children from poor households may be stuck in underfunded public schools, while those with means jump ahead,” says Kofi Andoh of the Ghana Education Campaign Coalition.
He argues that a two-tier system is emerging — where public schools are seen as “last resort” institutions, and private schools carry social status.
Government Response and Policy
The Ministry of Education has promised reforms, including:
- Upgrading teacher training colleges
- Introducing digital learning platforms
- Expanding school feeding programs
- Refurbishing public school infrastructure
But progress is slow, and funding is inconsistent.
“We need to restore confidence in public schools,” says Deputy Education Minister Rev. Ntim Fordjour. “That’s our long-term mission.”
Can the Two Systems Coexist?
Some experts argue for a hybrid model, where government supports low-fee private schools through subsidies or partnerships.
“There are private schools doing amazing work with limited resources,” says Dr. Frempong. “Supporting them could improve access without abandoning public schools.”
Others advocate for stronger oversight of private institutions to prevent exploitation and ensure quality standards.
Final Thought
For Lydia, the decision was never ideological — it was practical.
“I don’t hate public schools,” she says. “I just want my son to succeed.”
In a country where education is often the only ladder out of poverty, parents are climbing — one tuition payment at a time — to give their children a better shot at life.
Whether public or private, the goal remains the same: a good education for every child. The question is whether the system can deliver — or whether parents will keep going it alone.