Accra – Frustrated parents, guardians, and students besieged the national resolution centre in Accra yesterday over challenges arising from this year’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) exercise.
The complaints ranged from students not being placed at all to being assigned to schools they had not selected. Others lamented being offered boarding status instead of day status, and vice versa, while some day students were placed in schools far from their residences.
By the start of working hours, nearly 500 people had gathered at the centre. Officials painstakingly assisted parents and students throughout the day, with proceedings remaining relatively orderly until after 5 p.m.
Ministry’s Assurance
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, who visited the centre, assured parents that the concerns would be resolved before the October 18, 2025 reopening date.
He explained that the ministry anticipated some placement difficulties and scheduled the reopening with sufficient time to address them.
“We acknowledge that not everyone has been placed in his or her school of choice, but we are committed to ensuring that every child is placed in a school that will serve their educational needs,” Dr Apaak said.
Demand for Grade A Schools
The Deputy Minister stressed that demand for Grade A schools continued to outstrip available slots.
“It is not possible that everyone will get the school of their choice, particularly in the Grade A schools, because the numbers far exceed the available spaces,” he said.
He added that other schools across the country were equally capable of delivering quality education.
Frustrated Voices
Despite assurances, many parents and students expressed disappointment.
- Sarah Appiah, a student, said she was placed at Abease State College, a day school in Cape Coast, against her expectations.
- Evelyn Kwafie complained that she had chosen only day schools but was placed in St Fidelis Secondary Technical/Vocational School in Kwahu as a boarder, far from her home in Accra.
- Kolog Boar, a parent, said he requested a girls’ day school for his daughter but was instead assigned to Obuasi Secondary/Technical School, a mixed boarding school.
- Another parent from Accra said his daughter, who has health challenges, was placed outside the city.
- A pastor, who declined to give his name, said his ward was posted to St John’s Grammar School as a day student, but due to his transfer to Kumasi, he preferred a boarding placement in the Eastern Region.
Dr Apaak maintained that while not every case may be resolved, the ministry was working to address the majority of concerns before students report in October.
Source – My News Ghana
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