The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government is reviewing the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to make it fairer and more efficient. The Minister made this known during a visit to the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, on Monday, October 20 where he inspected facilities and assessed the school’s admission procedures. The Minister expressed concern over reports that some students were not offered their preferred programmes or were denied school choices despite having excellent grades.
“It is evident that some parents and students are understandably dissatisfied. In several cases, students who selected Science as their preferred course were instead placed in General Arts or Business. Such mismatches can discourage academic motivation and hinder a student’s ability to perform at their best.
This reflects a broader issue with the current placement system, which is not delivering as intended. The computerised placement mechanism is clearly falling short of national expectations, and I am committed to reviewing it thoroughly to ensure it serves our country more effectively.”
“I’ll put in place a committee to review its performance over the decade, and then give me a credible alternative. What we need is meritorious admission. Nobody would accept that you get an Aggregate 6, and you can’t get the spot of your first choice. That’s unfair, and we’ll look very closely into that.” The Minister also used the visit to highlight the broader challenges facing the implementation of Free Senior High School education in Ghana.
“My understanding, as I’ve gone around this morning, is that we need to manage the crisis in the provision of quality Free Senior High School in Ghana. To manage it will mean deliberate, sustainable investment in education, expanded classrooms, expanded laboratories, expanded dormitories for the learners.”
While acknowledging the government’s role, Mr Iddrisu also commended the contributions of alumni and religious institutions in supporting educational development. “What I’ve also particularly noticed is the role of old boys, old students, in supporting the state. I recognise a strong bond, a relationship between the church and the state in providing quality education. And for our purposes today, the Presbyterian Church, I want to salute them and pay tribute to them.”
Mr Iddrisu praised PRESEC for its long-standing record of excellence. “From Odumase now to Accra, Presec have trained many young people, mentioning Okudzeto Ablakwa, Oko Boye, they are all proud students of this school,” he said.
On infrastructure, the Minister admitted that the school was struggling with inadequate facilities. “My assessment here is that classrooms are not adequate, dormitories are not adequate, and laboratories are insufficient and not in good shape,” he said. To address these challenges, he announced that the government plans to upgrade schools across the country. “Government will deliberately, in the coming years, particularly into 2026, work to upgrade 10 Category C schools to B schools, and 10 Category B schools to A schools.
“Then I’ll pick a special 10, and Presec will be part of that special 10. We will give you the needed intervention by way of improved infrastructure in the classroom, laboratories and dormitories,” he added. About 590,000 first-year Senior High School (SHS) students started reporting to their respective schools from Saturday, October 18, and today, Monday, October 20, 2025, to begin the 2025/2026 academic year.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
