Accra:There is no greater disappointment for a parent than watching a child complete Junior High School with hope and excitement, only to remain at home weeks after the placement process because the path into Senior High School has become uncertain. The growing difficulties students face in transitioning from JHS to SHS are a concern for all.
According to Ghana Web, SHS enrolment in Ghana increased from approximately 800,000 students in 2016/17 to about 1.3 million in 2024/25, largely due to the Free SHS programme. While this expansion has opened doors for many young people, challenges have emerged that threaten to undermine the programme's promise. For two consecutive admission cycles, in 2025 and 2026, students have struggled to secure or take up placements, raising questions about the value of placements when students cannot attend school.
One significant issue is the school-selection process. Parents do not always participate meaningfully in choosing schools, and some students mistakenly believe that certain exam aggregates guarantee admission to specific schools. However, placement depends on exam performance, raw scores, available vacancies, programme choices, and boarding or day arrangements. Clear guidance is essential for parents and students making these decisions.
The requirement to include three day schools among the eight choices is problematic, especially for children in areas where the nearest senior high school is about 10 kilometers away. Selecting a day school without considering the practical difficulties of distance and transportation can be unrealistic for many families.
The Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) also faces scrutiny, with reports of errors such as students being placed in schools intended for the opposite gender. These issues must be promptly investigated and corrected to maintain public confidence in the system.
Self-placement, intended as a second chance for students, is hindered by a limited number of available schools, many of which are day schools. Additionally, regional and district resolution centers often lack the resources needed to address complaints effectively.
The institutional memory of the Free SHS programme is at risk as pioneer staff with valuable experience have been dismissed or transferred. Their knowledge could have been utilized to improve the system, but instead, their expertise has been lost.
The Free SHS programme transcends political affiliations and belongs to Ghana, with its greatest beneficiaries being the children. Recognizing its weaknesses is crucial for protecting its achievements and improving its efficacy for all Ghanaian children.
As the next admission cycle approaches, there is a need for the government to convene education practitioners, placement experts, and experienced former Free SHS officers to review and improve school selection processes, placement accuracy, and self-placement options. Ensuring that children can attend, remain in school, and complete the academic year is the true measure of the programme's success. Every child deserves that opportunity, and no child should be left behind.