With ample time and effective implementation, the new school placement policy is expected to address the systemic challenges associated with the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) and ensure that students make more informed choices.
This marks a major shift in the placement process. If properly implemented, it will help eliminate the chaos, anxiety among parents, and issues such as last-minute and backdoor placements that often arise when students select schools before their results are released.
The Executive Director of MONACH EDUCATION HUB, David Akpaloo, made these remarks on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
He emphasized the need for the government and policy implementers to provide adequate time for students to complete their school selection process. According to him, this will ensure the smooth processing of placement data and allow for better alignment between students’ performance and the courses or programmes they choose based on their final examination results.
Meanwhile, the government has announced a major change to the school placement process. Candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will now be required to select their preferred Senior High Schools only after the release of their results.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, stated that the policy is part of broader efforts to improve the CSSPS and help students make more informed decisions.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, April 1, he explained that candidates will be given a one-week window after the release of results to make their school selections.
According to him, the previous system required students to choose schools without knowing their academic performance, which often negatively affected placement outcomes.
“In the past, students selected schools without knowing their aggregate, and that affected the placement system. This time, we will provide a mandatory period of one week after results are declared for students to confirm their choices based on their performance,” he stated.
The Minister expressed confidence that the new approach will enhance fairness, reduce placement challenges, and improve overall efficiency in the admission process into Senior High Schools.