Result first before SHS placement model to reduce pressure on Category A schools – CSSPS

The Coordinator of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Secretariat, Sherif Sulemana, has explained that the newly introduced "results first before placement" policy is designed to reduce excessive competition for Category A Senior High Schools (SHSs) while helping candidates make more informed and realistic school choices.

The new approach marks a significant change to Ghana's Senior High School placement process. For the first time, candidates will receive their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results before selecting their preferred schools, replacing the previous system where school choices were made before examination results were released.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Tuesday, August 4, Mr. Sulemana said the reform is intended to make the placement process more transparent, equitable and merit-driven.

According to him, students will now be able to assess their academic performance before choosing schools, enabling them to select institutions that match their grades and improve their chances of gaining admission.

"This system allows candidates to make informed decisions based on their actual performance instead of relying on assumptions before writing the examination," he explained.

Mr. Sulemana explained that once the BECE results are released, the CSSPS will automatically rank candidates based on their aggregate scores.

The aggregate will be calculated using performance in four core subjects together with the two best-performing elective subjects.

Placement will then be determined based on three key factors:

• A candidate's aggregate score
• The programme of study selected
• School preference and the availability of vacancies

"Once the results are released, the system ranks candidates based on their aggregate scores. Placement is then done according to the candidate's programme choice, school preference and availability of space," he stated.

The CSSPS Coordinator noted that the previous placement model encouraged many students to choose highly competitive Category A schools without knowing whether their examination performance would make them eligible.

As a result, demand for a limited number of places became disproportionately high.

He disclosed that during the previous admission cycle, approximately 65 percent of BECE candidates selected Category A schools, despite those institutions accounting for only about 10 percent of the total available Senior High School spaces.

According to him, the mismatch created unnecessary pressure on the placement system and increased disappointment among candidates who were unable to secure admission to their preferred schools.

"With the results now available before selection, we expect candidates to assess their chances better and make choices that align with their grades," he said.

Mr. Sulemana revealed that approximately 600,000 placement spaces have been declared available for this year's Senior High School admissions.

He encouraged candidates to carefully review the available schools and programmes before making their selections within the stipulated timeline.

The CSSPS Secretariat also plans to give candidates an opportunity to review their choices before final submission.

To minimise errors during the selection exercise, Mr. Sulemana assured candidates that the system will include a review stage that allows students to verify and correct any mistakes before confirming their final school choices.

He said the additional verification process is intended to improve accuracy and reduce placement-related complaints after admissions are released.

The CSSPS Secretariat believes the reforms will lead to a more balanced distribution of students across Senior High Schools nationwide while easing pressure on the country's most sought-after institutions.