Achieving free quality education for all children remains a paramount goal. However, low- and lower-middle income countries face unique challenges in realizing this objective.
These nations require economic growth, increased tax revenue and a supportive regulatory framework to finance and deliver high-quality education. In this context, low-fee private schools emerge as a dual solution, contributing to the development of human capital and bolstering a country's gross domestic product through tax payments.
The Affordable Non-State Sector (ANS) in Ghana, comprising low-fee private schools, faith-based schools and NGO schools, is projected to represent nearly 30% of total school enrollments by 2025 (OPPORTUNITY EduFinance, 2022) - and this trend is not unique to Ghana, with the sector rapidly expanding across low- and lower-middle income countries.
However, many of these schools remain informal. For instance, in Lagos State, Nigeria, 75% of the approximately 20,000 low-fee private schools were unregistered in 2021, while in Jharkhand State, India, more than 80% were unregistered (UNESCO, 2021).
Challenges of registration and categorization
In most countries, when a school seeks government registration, it must categorize itself as either a for-profit business or a charity (not-for-profit).
The application process for charity status rightfully entails stringent requirements as it results in tax exemptions. Consequently, the majority of independent proprietors who establish community schools register as a for-profit business.
This is the case even when schools operate at a loss as their primary motivation is to make enough to keep the doors open and continue to serve their communities.
By operating as for-profit entities, these schools become integral to a country's economy, generating employment opportunities and tax revenue while supporting the government's education goals by increasing access – which has led to basic education enrollment numbers reaching almost 100% in most Sub-Saharan African countries (UIS, 2022).
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Francis joins Initiative for Responsible Teenage Motherhood (IRETEM)an NGO that seeks to support teen mothers in a fostering manner to return to school to complete basic education qualification for senior High school or make a skill for life.
There is increasing numbers of teen mothers with an urge of going back to school yet are challenged with logistics and care support.
IRETEM seeks partnership to work collaboratively to open further access to curious teen- mothers to champion their dreams and aspirations in life.