Upgrade one SHS in each MMDAs to first class category A school to tackle placement issues — Akim Swedru MP

Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has called for the upgrading of at least 1 secondary school in each of Ghana’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to Category A status to help address persistent challenges associated with the Senior High School placement system.

The MP believes the proposal would ease the intense competition for admission into a limited number of highly sought-after schools while ensuring that students have access to quality secondary education within their own districts.

Mr Osei Nyarko made the proposal in a post on his official Facebook page while weighing in on concerns surrounding the current school placement process.

He argued that every MMDA should have at least 1 well-resourced secondary school equipped with quality teaching staff and facilities comparable to those of leading Category A institutions such as Achimota School, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Mfantsipim School, Adisadel College, Wesley Girls’ High School and Prempeh College.

“I think it’s time for the country to at least upgrade one secondary school in each of the 261 MMDAs to a first class category A school with quality teaching staff to the level of the Achimota’s, PRESEC, Mfantsipim, Adisadel, Wesley Girls, Prempeh’s etc,” he said.

According to the MP, establishing high-quality Category A schools across the country could help change the current pattern in which large numbers of students compete for admission into a small group of prestigious schools, many of which are located outside their home districts.

He said students seeking Category A education should instead have the option of attending a high-quality institution within their respective districts.

“Students who want category A schools will remain in their respective Districts instead of the current approach where every student wants placements at the most prestigious and recognised category A schools in other regions,” he stated.

Mr Osei Nyarko further suggested that Ghana could draw lessons from aspects of the public school system in the United States, where access to public schools is often determined by a student’s residential address and designated school district.

He said such an approach, coupled with investment in high-quality schools across all MMDAs, could help reduce the pressure on the existing Category A schools and provide more equitable access to quality secondary education.