Education Ministry to review 'problematic' CSSPS after Catholic Bishops’ concerns

The Ministry of Education has announced plans to review Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) following calls by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for greater transparency and accountability in the placement process.

According to the Ministry, a Technical Working Committee will be constituted after the ongoing placement exercise to assess the various components of the system and recommend areas for improvement.

In a statement signed by the Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Ministry welcomed the Bishops’ call for an “ultimate review” of the CSSPS and reaffirmed its commitment to making the system credible, efficient, fair and responsive to students, parents and schools.

The Ministry maintained that placement under the CSSPS is primarily merit-based, with merit taking precedence over protocol in the placement of qualified candidates.

It explained that placement decisions are made according to established criteria designed to ensure fairness within the approved framework.

However, the Ministry acknowledged that the system required regular improvement.

“The review will examine the various components of the system, identify areas requiring improvement, strengthen transparency and accountability,” the statement said.

The proposed review is expected to generate recommendations to improve the efficiency, credibility and transparency of the placement process.

The Ministry also reiterated that CSSPS placement is free and cautioned parents and candidates against paying individuals or organisations to secure placements or alter existing placements.

It urged anyone who demanded money in connection with school placement to report the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Parents and guardians with credible evidence of financial demands by officials of the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, the CSSPS Secretariat, the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training system or any third party have been encouraged to submit complaints for investigation.

“The identities of complainants will be protected,” the statement said.

The announcement comes amid continuing concerns about the secondary school placement process, particularly the transparency of placement decisions and the factors used in determining where students are assigned.

The Ministry said it remained committed to safeguarding the integrity of the CSSPS and ensuring that merit, fairness and transparency continued to guide the system.