The Ministry of Education has welcomed calls from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for greater transparency, accountability and an eventual review of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
The Ministry reaffirmed that the CSSPS school placement system is fundamentally merit-based, with academic merit taking priority over protocol when placing qualified students into senior high schools and other participating institutions.
According to the Ministry, the objective of the system is to ensure that SHS placement decisions are based on established criteria and that every qualified student receives fair treatment under the approved placement framework.
Ministry to Review CSSPS Placement Process
While defending the merit-based nature of the system, the Ministry of Education acknowledged the importance of continuously improving the Ghana school placement system.
Following the completion of the current placement exercise, the Ministry said it will establish a Technical Working Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the CSSPS placement process.
The committee is expected to examine the various components of the system, identify areas that require improvement and recommend measures to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficiency.
The review will also seek to ensure that the CSSPS remains credible, fair and responsive to the needs of students, parents, guardians and schools.
CSSPS Placement Is Free
The Ministry of Education has also reiterated that CSSPS placement is completely free.
Parents and candidates are not required to pay money to secure a school placement or to have an existing placement changed.
The Ministry has therefore cautioned parents and guardians against individuals who demand money in exchange for SHS placement, school admission or changes to CSSPS placements.
Parents Asked to Report Placement Extortion
Parents or guardians who have credible evidence that an official of the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service (GES), CSSPS Secretariat, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GTVET) or any third party is demanding money in connection with school placement have been encouraged to report the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
The Ministry said such reports will be investigated and assured complainants that their identities will be protected.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System and ensuring that merit, fairness, transparency and accountability remain central to Ghana’s school placement process.
The planned CSSPS review is expected to help address concerns surrounding Ghana SHS placement, improve public confidence and strengthen the overall school admission system.
Source: newsthemegh.com