Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Directs Strict Adherence to CSSPS as 85 Private Schools Join Free SHS Programme

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a stern directive prohibiting heads of Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools, and Technical and Vocational Institutes from admitting any students outside the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). This move is intended to safeguard the integrity of the placement process following the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The Minister emphasized that the directive is central to the government's commitment to fairness and transparency, warning that any school head found violating these regulations will face strict sanctions according to the established Code of Ethics.

To complement this enforcement and address the high demand for secondary education, the Ministry has also announced the incorporation of 85 private Senior High Schools into the Free SHS Programme for the 2026/27 academic year. Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, noted that this expansion is a strategic effort to utilize the private sector's capacity to alleviate pressure on public institutions. The necessity of this expansion is reflected in recent placement data, which shows that 313,283 candidates applied for Category A schools despite there being only 76,417 available vacancies.

Alongside these structural changes, the Ministry is taking steps to protect parents and students from exploitation. Dr. Apaak urged candidates to consider private SHS options alongside public ones and cautioned against fraudulent placement schemes. The Ministry reiterated that school placement remains a free service and that any individual demanding payment is engaging in a scam. To resolve legitimate issues regarding placement logistics and travel distances for day students, the government has established National and Regional Placement Resolution Centres to provide official assistance.

These combined measures reflect the Mahama administration's broader agenda to improve educational access and maintain a merit-based admission system. As preparations for the upcoming academic year intensify, the Ministry plans to hold a press conference to further address public concerns and refine placement logistics. By integrating private schools into the national framework and enforcing strict adherence to the CSSPS, the government aims to ensure that every qualified student can secure a placement in a transparent and orderly manner.