HUNDREDS FLOCK GNAT HALL FOR SHS SELF-PLACEMENT AFTER MISSING AUTOMATIC ADMISSION

Hundreds of anxious parents and students on Thursday thronged the Resolution Centre at GNAT Hall in Accra to resolve issues surrounding this year’s Senior High School (SHS) placement. Many of them are seeking self-placement after missing out on automatic admission under the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

According to official figures, 107,509 candidates, representing 18.2 percent of all qualified students, did not secure automatic placement. This means nearly one in five candidates must use the self-placement module to secure admission into available schools.

For many families, the process has become a stressful and frustrating experience. Parents, some of whom travelled long distances, expressed worry over the long queues, limited technical support, and the uncertainty surrounding their children’s educational future. Students, too, admitted feeling anxious and disheartened, particularly those who had hoped to gain admission to their first-choice schools.

Education analysts argue that while the CSSPS has improved transparency in placements, it still needs major reforms. They recommend a more reliable, less stressful system that minimizes physical congestion at centres and offers seamless online access to reduce pressure on families.

The Ministry of Education has assured the public that sufficient spaces remain in senior high and technical schools across the country to accommodate every successful Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate. However, stakeholders are urging the government to strengthen the system to prevent the yearly struggle faced by parents and students.