ACCRA, Ghana — Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to parents and the Ghanaian public to give him one more year to address longstanding challenges affecting the Senior High School placement system.
Iddrisu made the appeal on July 20, 2026, during the Government Accountability Series, where he acknowledged persistent concerns surrounding the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
“You may have to give me another year, then I’ll be better off in resolving the school placement issues,” the Minister said.
Minister Admits Placement Challenges
Haruna Iddrisu attributed some of the difficulties to inadequate infrastructure and growing demand for senior high school education.
He acknowledged that government had not yet had sufficient resources to completely address the pressure on the system and said additional classroom infrastructure would be necessary to provide a lasting solution.
The Minister also disclosed that a committee had been established to review the placement system and examine whether the process sufficiently protects merit and transparency.
Reforms Proposed for CSSPS
Iddrisu said government intended to introduce a more open and transparent placement process in which candidates would know their BECE results before selecting their preferred senior high schools.
The proposed approach was intended to allow students and parents to make more informed choices based on candidates’ actual academic performance.
The Minister also stressed that the release of BECE results remained the responsibility of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and said he would not interfere with the work of the examination body.
One Year Later, Placement Problems Remain a Major Issue
The Minister’s July appeal has gained renewed relevance as Ghana’s 2026/2027 SHS placement exercise continues to generate concerns.
Parents and prospective SHS students have been reporting difficulties with the CSSPS process, with large numbers of affected families seeking assistance at resolution centres.
Reports from Accra and Kumasi have documented long queues and frustration among parents and candidates attempting to resolve placement problems.
Government Tightens Control Over Admissions
Amid the concerns, the Education Minister has directed heads of Senior High Schools, Senior High Technical Schools and Technical and Vocational Institutes not to admit students outside the approved CSSPS process.
Heads of institutions who admit students outside the system risk sanctions under the applicable regulations and professional code of ethics.
The directive is intended to strengthen fairness, transparency and accountability in the placement and enrolment process.
The Bigger Challenge: Capacity
At the heart of Ghana’s placement difficulties is the growing demand for second-cycle education and the limited capacity of some schools.
The government has been pursuing infrastructure interventions intended to expand capacity and reduce pressure on the existing system.
The issue is also connected to the wider debate over Ghana’s double-track system and efforts to provide sufficient classroom space for students following the expansion of access to secondary education.
GhanaMedia.net has previously reported on proposals for alternative approaches to the double-track system, including a suggested morning-and-afternoon arrangement for day and boarding students.
Parents Await a Lasting Solution
For parents and students currently affected by placement difficulties, the central question is whether the reforms promised by the Education Ministry will translate into a more predictable and transparent system.
Iddrisu’s request for one more year was made before the current 2026 placement exercise. The renewed difficulties now place greater attention on the government’s ability to deliver the reforms and infrastructure needed to reduce recurring placement challenges.
As Ghana continues to expand access to secondary education, resolving the CSSPS challenges will remain critical to ensuring that qualified students can secure appropriate placements without unnecessary stress for their families.
For more education coverage, follow GhanaMedia.net’s Ghana News Portal, read our coverage of WAEC and Ghana’s examination system, and explore our report on proposals to reform the SHS double-track system.
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