Abuakwa south: Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has criticized the government's decision to allow students to select senior high schools after the release of their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, calling it a 'backward approach'.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Agyemang's comments come amid mounting frustration among parents and BECE candidates who are encountering difficulties with the placement process, with many students reportedly unable to secure spots in their chosen schools. The MP expressed that the policy has been a significant factor in the challenges faced by parents and students seeking placements.
Dr. Agyemang highlighted the unimpressive overall performance of the BECE, pointing out that the large number of students who have not been placed in any of the schools they selected is a considerable problem. In a social media post dated September 9, 2026, he stated that allowing candidates to view their results before selecting schools has resulted in a rush for highly competitive Category A institutions.
He emphasized that he had forewarned of such an outcome, stating, "I hinted strongly that we were going to get to this position, and truth be told, this is where we are now." Dr. Agyemang argued that the policy might have been more effective if the school system did not categorize institutions, allowing all schools an equal opportunity of being selected.
Dr. Agyemang maintained that the current complications were predictable and that the government had ignored previous warnings about the potential hazards of the policy. He criticized the government for failing to address earlier concerns, stating that the challenges with the placement process have worsened compared to previous exercises, which he described as chaotic.
The MP also called for a review of the school selection and placement process to ensure better alignment between students' choices and available vacancies, as well as the categorization of schools. This call for reform comes as parents and candidates continue to search for solutions to the ongoing placement challenges.