Education Ministry to Review CSSPS After 2026/27 School Placement Exercise

The Ministry of Education has announced that the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) will undergo a comprehensive review after the ongoing 2026/27 second-cycle school placement exercise.

The decision follows a call by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for greater transparency and accountability in the school placement process.

In a statement signed by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, the Ministry welcomed the concerns raised and said a Technical Working Committee would be established after the current placement exercise to review the system.

“The Ministry of Education welcomes the call by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for greater transparency, accountability and the ultimate review of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS),” the statement said.

According to the Ministry, the committee will examine the various components of the CSSPS, identify weaknesses and recommend measures to make the placement process more transparent, efficient and fair.

“The review will examine the various components of the system, identify areas requiring improvement, strengthen transparency and accountability, and make recommendations to ensure that the CSSPS remains credible, efficient, fair and responsive to the needs of students, parents and schools,” it stated.

Despite concerns surrounding the placement process, the Ministry maintained that the CSSPS is primarily based on merit.

“The Ministry wishes to emphasize that the CSSPS is fundamentally a merit-based system, with merit taking precedence over protocol in the placement of qualified candidates,” it said.

The Ministry also cautioned parents and candidates against paying individuals who promise to secure or change school placements, stressing that the process is free.

“CSSPS placement is free. No parent or candidate is required to pay money to secure a placement or to have a placement changed,” the statement emphasised.

Parents and guardians with credible evidence of officials or third parties demanding money for placements have been encouraged to report such cases to law enforcement authorities. The Ministry assured potential whistleblowers that their identities would be protected.

The planned review comes amid complaints from some parents and candidates over school choices and placement outcomes in the ongoing exercise.

The Ministry said it remains committed to ensuring that merit, fairness and transparency remain central to the placement of students into Senior High and Technical Schools.