The Ministry of Education has welcomed calls by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for greater transparency, accountability and an eventual review of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
In a statement signed by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the Ministry said the CSSPS is fundamentally a merit-based system, with merit taking precedence over protocol in the placement of qualified candidates.
The Ministry said the system is designed to ensure that placement decisions are guided by established criteria and that every qualified student is treated fairly within the approved placement framework.
However, it acknowledged the need for continuous improvement and strengthening of the placement process.
According to the Ministry, a Technical Working Committee will be established after the conclusion of the current placement exercise to undertake a comprehensive review of the CSSPS.
The review will examine the various components of the placement system, identify areas requiring improvement, strengthen transparency and accountability, and make recommendations to ensure that the system remains credible, efficient, fair and responsive to the needs of students, parents and schools.
The Ministry also reiterated that CSSPS placement is free and warned parents and candidates against paying money to secure placements or have placements changed.
It urged parents and guardians who have credible evidence of officials or third parties demanding money in connection with school placement to report such cases to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
The Ministry said the identities of individuals who report such cases will be protected.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the CSSPS and ensuring that merit, fairness and transparency remain at the centre of the placement process.
