2026 BECE: Candidates to select two Category A schools under new placement reforms

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced a significant reform to the school selection process for candidates preparing to sit for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), introducing new measures aimed at resolving long-standing placement challenges under the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

As part of the updated guidelines, candidates will now be required to select two Category A Senior High Schools—one as a boarding option and the other as a day school—within their locality. This marks a shift from previous years and is intended to reduce the intense competition for top-tier schools while improving placement outcomes for students across the country.

The Director-General of GES, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, explained that the reform is part of a broader strategy to enhance the efficiency, fairness, and reliability of the CSSPS. According to him, the changes are based on lessons learned from previous placement cycles, where congestion in highly sought-after Category A schools and mismatches in student placements created difficulties for both candidates and administrators.

Under the new arrangement, candidates will now select a total of eight schools instead of seven. The inclusion of an additional school option is expected to give students more flexibility and improve their chances of being placed in institutions that align with their academic performance and preferences. The requirement to choose two Category A schools—one day and one boarding—also aims to expand access to top-performing schools while encouraging more balanced distribution of students.

Prof. Davis further disclosed that the placement process will now commence immediately after the completion of the BECE, rather than waiting for the release of examination results. This proactive approach is designed to provide sufficient time for processing placements ahead of the reopening of senior high schools, scheduled for September 18.

He noted that authorities will have approximately 19 to 20 weeks to complete the placement exercise, a timeframe he believes is adequate to ensure a smoother and more efficient process. He expressed confidence that improvements made to the system, combined with better planning and data management, will lead to timely placement and enrollment of successful candidates.

In addition to the changes affecting Category A schools, the reforms also introduce greater flexibility in the selection of Category B and Category C schools. Candidates will have more freedom to choose schools that realistically match their academic profiles, helping to minimize placement mismatches and reduce the number of students who struggle to secure admission.

The GES emphasized that these reforms are a direct response to challenges observed in recent years, including overcrowding in elite schools, underutilization of other institutions, and delays in placement announcements. By refining the selection process and expanding student choices, the Service aims to create a more balanced, transparent, and accessible system that benefits all candidates.

Overall, the new measures are expected to significantly improve the effectiveness of the CSSPS, ensuring that more students are placed appropriately and on time, while also easing pressure on the most competitive senior high schools in Ghana.