Ministry of Education on Saturday dismissed widespread social media claims suggesting that placements into Senior High Schools (SHS) are determined by a rigid aggregate score system, calling the assertions “maliciously misleading.”
The rumors, circulated through a flyer widely shared online, implied that students’ admission into various categories of second-cycle institutions is governed by fixed score thresholds. In an official statement signed by Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak, the Ministry pushed back against the narrative, asserting that the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) operates with a far more nuanced approach.
According to the Ministry, SHS placement decisions are influenced by a combination of factors, including both aggregate and raw examination scores, the availability of spaces at schools, and the demand for specific academic programmes.
“Limited vacancies and high competition at certain schools or for particular programmes significantly influence placement outcomes,” the Ministry said. “The process is not dictated solely by a student’s score.”
In addition to addressing misinformation about placement criteria, the Ministry responded to concerns over alleged corruption in the placement process. The statement stressed that no bribes, payments, or inducements are required to secure school placements and that any such claims or demands should be reported immediately.
“All interactions with Ministry and Ghana Education Service officials must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and transparency,” the Ministry said. “The public is urged to report any attempts at bribery or extortion to the nearest police station.”
The Education Ministry further encouraged parents, students, and other stakeholders to rely solely on official communications from the Ministry, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service.
“We reaffirm our commitment to a placement process grounded in merit, transparency, and fairness,” the statement concluded.
The Ministry’s comments come amid the annual placement season, a period often fraught with heightened anxiety among students and families seeking admission into Ghana’s most competitive public secondary schools.
