Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Pledges to Resolve SHS Placement Crisis Amid System Review

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has issued a strong assurance to students and parents that all outstanding challenges regarding the Senior High School (SHS) placement process will be resolved before the academic year begins. Speaking during a series of visits to the National Resolution Centre in Accra, the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to a fair and merit-based Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). To address immediate concerns, Mr. Iddrisu indicated that the Ministry is considering a possible extension of the reporting deadline for Form One students, ensuring that those currently facing unresolved placement issues—such as requests to change from day to boarding status—are not unfairly penalized. The current placement cycle has been met with significant scrutiny, as approximately 565,000 out of nearly 620,000 candidates who sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) qualified for placement. This high volume of students has placed immense pressure on the system, particularly with over 313,000 applicants vying for only 76,417 spaces in top-tier schools. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), through Education Policy Committee spokesperson Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, has raised concerns over the disqualification of roughly 55,000 students. Dr. Tandoh alleged that new calculation methods were intentionally used to limit access to the Free SHS initiative, a claim the government maintains is part of a necessary policy review rather than an attempt to undermine the programme. In response to calls for greater transparency from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and other stakeholders, the Ministry of Education has announced the formation of a Technical Working Committee. This body will conduct a comprehensive review of the CSSPS once the current exercise concludes, focusing on operational efficiency, accountability, and the specific needs of students with disabilities. Experts have noted that the system faces structural hurdles, including a lack of new school infrastructure constructed between 2025 and 2026. Educationists like Daniel Kwamena Essel of Crown of Glory Schools have urged the government to invest heavily in Category B and C schools to make them more attractive and competitive, thereby alleviating the unsustainable pressure on a handful of elite institutions. Beyond the logistical hurdles, stakeholders are highlighting the critical psychological toll the placement process takes on young learners. The agitation surrounding BECE results and placement outcomes has sparked a national conversation on student mental health, with experts warning that anxiety and depression among disappointed students can lead to tragic outcomes. As the government works to refine the CSSPS, the emphasis remains on creating a supportive environment that prioritizes student well-being alongside academic placement. The Ministry has reiterated that the placement process is free and has urged the public to report any allegations of corruption as the Technical Working Committee prepares to begin its evaluation.