Accra: About 600,000 places have been made available for admission into senior high schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions under this year's Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). The available spaces are expected to accommodate approximately 90 percent of candidates who sat this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Sherif Sulemana, the National Coordinator of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System, revealed that more than 620,000 candidates took the examination nationwide and would be allowed to select a maximum of two Category A schools under the placement system. Candidates are required to select eight schools in order of preference, specify their preferred programmes, and indicate whether they wish to attend as boarding or day students.
Mr. Sulemana detailed that the system prioritizes candidates based on their aggregate scores, programme choices, and boarding space. Once examination results are released, the data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is used to match candidates' choices against their grades and the availability of spaces in secondary schools. The process is competitive, ensuring that placements are made efficiently.
He further explained that placement decisions would be determined by candidates' examination aggregates, programme selections, boarding preferences, and the availability of vacancies declared by schools post-BECE results release.
Mr. Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, stated that senior high schools are prepared to welcome the new students. The Ministry of Education is undertaking infrastructure projects to expand capacity in response to increasing enrolment under the Free SHS policy. It is anticipated that within two academic years, the necessary infrastructure upgrades and new school constructions will be completed to accommodate the growing number of students.