The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has said that Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is not functioning effectively and needs to a review to restore fairness and merit-based admissions into senior high schools.
Mr Iddrisu made the remark on Monday [Oct 20, 2025], during a visit to the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, where he interacted with school authorities, parents, and students while assessing ongoing admissions and facilities.
He acknowledged widespread public concern about the placement process, saying many parents and students were justified in their frustration when high-performing candidates were denied their preferred courses or schools.
“I have observed that some parents are unhappy, justified. Some students are unhappy, justified, because he chose a particular course, science, and was given general arts or business. That would be a disincentive even for that child to study hard and do business,” Mr Iddrisu said.
He noted that such irregularities undermine the credibility of the system, which was meant to promote equity and transparency in school admissions.
“It means that the computerised placement system is not working well for the country. And I’m happy to review it, and I will review it. I’ve put in place a committee to review its performance over the decade, and then give me a credible alternative,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu stressed that merit should guide admissions and that no student with top grades should be denied their school or programme of choice because of protocol placements or technical flaws.
“What we need is meritorious admission. I mean, nobody would accept that you get aggregate 6, and you can’t get the school of your first choice. What can explain that? It cannot be explained because that candidate has been pushed away by protocol. That’s unfair,” he said.
Turning to infrastructure, the Minister expressed concern about the poor condition of facilities in many public senior high schools, noting that classrooms, dormitories, and laboratories were inadequate and in need of repair.
“Classrooms not adequate, dormitories not adequate, laboratories insufficient and not in good shape,” he said.
He assured that the government would make deliberate and sustained investments to improve facilities and the overall quality of free senior high school education. He announced that by 2026, ten Category C schools would be upgraded to Category B, ten Category B schools to Category A, and a “special ten,” including PRESEC, would receive targeted infrastructure support.
Mr Iddrisu also commended the Presbyterian Church and the school’s alumni for their contribution to education, describing PRESEC as one of Ghana’s reputable and high-performing Category A schools.
The visit formed part of a nationwide assessment tour to engage with school administrators and parents and to ensure the Free SHS policy continues to deliver fair and quality outcomes for students across the country.
