Accra, May 12, GNA - The Ghana Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) on Wednesday called on Ghana Education Service (GES) to create Directorate or Desk within its set up to effectively monitor and supervise the operation of private schools.

"The Directorate, when created will ensure effective supervision and monitoring and unqualified people would not venture into the running of private schools and put those of us already in on our toes," the Association stated at a press conference in Accra.

Led by its General Secretary Mr Eric Forson, the Association said with the absence of a Desk or Directorate for private schools at the GES, they were mostly ignored and decision tended to be tilted in favour of public schools.

Wednesday's press conference also launched this year's celebration of Private Schools' Week, to be held from May 17 to May 23, on the theme: "GNAPS, the Past, Present and Future in National Development." Activities planned for the week include regional launches, sporting activities, clean up exercises, march past in the communities and thanksgiving services.

Mr Forson appealed to the Government to assist them to secure loans at concessionary rate to enable them to improve on their infrastructure to enhance their service delivery.

He said that there were 5,064 private schools at the basic level; 153 at the secondary, commercial, vocational and technical level throughout the country and a few at the tertiary level.

Mr Forson said that it was the private schools that largely ensured the success of the educational reforms.

He urged the Government to expedite action on the Education Regulatory Bill and called for the clearance of the ambiguity over whether the GES or the Department of Social Welfare controlled pre-schools in the country.

He commended the Government, for considering the amendment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) law to cover private schools. Government and Universities should liaise with the Association to organise modular courses in managerial skills for proprietors of private schools, he said.