The Ministry of Education has signaled a major push to strengthen transparency and public confidence in Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announcing plans for a comprehensive review of the system after the current placement exercise.
The move follows concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which called for greater accountability and an eventual review of the CSSPS to address challenges facing students, parents and schools.
In a statement, the Ministry welcomed the intervention of the Catholic Bishops, describing it as a constructive contribution to ongoing efforts by the government to improve access, fairness and efficiency in the secondary school placement process.
The Ministry stressed that the CSSPS remains a merit-based system designed to ensure that qualified students are placed in schools based on established criteria rather than influence or protocol.
However, it acknowledged that changing educational demands and public concerns make it necessary to continuously assess and improve the system.
As part of the government’s reform agenda in the education sector, Mr. Iddrisu announced that a Technical Working Committee would be constituted after the completion of the current placement exercise to conduct a thorough assessment of the CSSPS.
According to the Ministry, the committee will examine the operational framework of the placement system, identify gaps, strengthen accountability mechanisms and propose reforms aimed at making the process more transparent, efficient and responsive to the needs of students and parents.
The planned review is expected to form part of broader government efforts to improve educational service delivery and restore public confidence in key systems that affect the future of Ghanaian students.
The Ministry also reiterated that placement through the CSSPS is completely free and warned parents and guardians against paying money to individuals claiming they can influence placements or secure school changes.
It urged the public to report any officials of the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), the CSSPS Secretariat, Ghana TVET Service or any third party who demands money in connection with school placement.
The Ministry assured the public that all credible complaints would be investigated and that the identities of whistleblowers would be protected.
Education observers say the decision to review the CSSPS demonstrates the government’s willingness to listen to stakeholders and undertake reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness within Ghana’s education system.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the placement process, insisting that merit, fairness and transparency will remain the guiding principles of school placements under the CSSPS.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
