The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has strongly appealed to the government to abolish the controversial 30% priority placement system for Senior High Schools (SHS). The system, which reserves 30% of available vacancies in Category-A SHSs for students in public schools, has been widely criticized for hindering the enrollment of deserving students from private schools, despite their excellent performance in final examinations. The call to scrap the system was made by the Association during the launch of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools Week. The Ghana National Association of Private Schools Week serves as a platform for private schools to advocate for their rights.
The GNAPS expressed its discontent with the priority placement system, labeling it as both unjust and corrupt. According to the Association, the current scheme poses significant challenges for students graduating from private schools who aspire to enroll in their preferred institutions. Despite their academic achievements, these students find themselves at a disadvantage due to the preference given to public school students.
Speaking at the launch event, the GNAPS leadership argued that the priority placement system undermines the principles of equal opportunity and fair competition. They highlighted the fact that private school students often perform exceptionally well in their final examinations, demonstrating their competence and readiness for higher education. However, their chances of securing admission to their desired SHSs are diminished due to the allocation of a significant portion of available slots to public school students.
The Association emphasized the need for a level playing field, urging the government to reevaluate the current system and make it more inclusive. They proposed that merit-based criteria, such as students’ academic performance and their choice of schools, should be the primary determinants for admission, rather than their school type.
As the debate surrounding the controversial priority placement system continues, the fate of deserving students from private schools hangs in the balance. It remains to be seen whether the government will heed the calls of GNAPS and take decisive action to create a fair and equitable admissions process for all students across the country.
By: Isaac Nyarko, UniMAC-IJ
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