Accra, Sept. 15, GNA – The Ministry of Education has announced plans to undertake a comprehensive review of Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), following calls from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for greater transparency and accountability in the placement process.
The Ministry said a Technical Working Committee would be established after the conclusion of the current placement exercise to examine the various components of the system and identify areas requiring improvement.
A statement signed by Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, welcomed the Bishops’ call for an “ultimate review” of the CSSPS, saying it was committed to ensuring that the system remained credible, efficient, fair and responsive to the needs of students, parents and schools.
The Ministry maintained that the CSSPS was fundamentally a merit-based system, with merit taking precedence over protocol in the placement of qualified candidates.
It said placement decisions were guided by established criteria intended to ensure that qualified students were treated fairly within the approved placement framework.
However, the Ministry acknowledged the need for continuous improvement of the system.
“The review will examine the various components of the system, identify areas requiring improvement, strengthen transparency and accountability,” the statement said.
The review is also expected to produce recommendations aimed at improving the credibility and efficiency of the placement process.
The statement further stressed that CSSPS placement was free of charge, warning parents and candidates against paying money to secure placements or have existing placements changed.
It said anyone demanding payment in connection with school placement should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
The statement urged parents and guardians with credible evidence of demands for money by officials of the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, CSSPS Secretariat, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training, or any third party to report such cases for investigation.
“The identities of complainants will be protected,” the statement said.
The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns over Ghana’s secondary school placement system, particularly questions surrounding transparency and the factors influencing placement decisions.
The statement said the Ministry remained committed to protecting the integrity of the CSSPS and ensuring that merit, fairness and transparency remained at the heart of the placement process.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Kodjo Adams
[email protected]