Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Pledges Resolution to SHS Placement Crisis Amid Calls for CSSPS Reform

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has moved to reassure parents and students that all outstanding challenges regarding the 2026 Senior High School (SHS) placement process will be resolved before the start of the academic year. During a visit to the National Resolution Centre in Accra, the Minister addressed a surge of complaints involving the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), particularly concerning students placed in schools far from their homes and the high demand for limited vacancies. Minister Iddrisu emphasized the government's commitment to a transparent and merit-based process, urging parents to consider placements in Category B and C institutions as viable pathways to higher education while promising long-term infrastructure investments to expand capacity in top-tier schools.

The current placement cycle has highlighted a significant gap between student aspirations and available resources. Analysis of the CSSPS guidelines reveals that over 313,000 students are competing for only 76,417 spaces in the country’s most sought-after schools. Critics have pointed out that a lack of new school construction between 2025 and 2026 has exacerbated overcrowding, leading to calls for a potential reinstatement of the double-track system to manage the influx. Media personality MzGee also recently voiced public concern over the state of academic performance, noting instances of high BECE aggregates ranging from 28 to 45, which complicates the placement of students in competitive programs.

In response to these systemic pressures and calls for greater accountability from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), the Ministry of Education has announced the formation of a Technical Working Committee. This committee is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the CSSPS once the current placement exercise concludes. The review aims to improve the system's credibility, address the specific needs of students with disabilities, and eliminate potential avenues for corruption. Minister Iddrisu reiterated that the placement process is entirely free and encouraged the public to report any solicitation of bribes or fraudulent activity to the appropriate authorities.

Beyond the logistical and administrative hurdles, educators and mental health advocates are raising alarms about the psychological toll the placement process takes on young learners. The release of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results often triggers significant anxiety, depression, and feelings of worthlessness among students who do not meet their own or their parents' expectations. Tragic incidents of student self-harm have underscored the urgent need for robust school-based mental health interventions. The Ministry and community leaders are now advocating for a more compassionate educational environment that prioritizes the holistic well-being of students, ensuring they are not only placed in classrooms but are also emotionally supported during this high-stakes transition.