Disgruntled Parents and Students Overwhelm SHS Placement Resolution Centre

Accra ,Ghana – September 19,2025 - The National Resolution Centre for the Senior High School (SHS) computer placement process in Accra was inundated with frustrated parents, guardians, and students yesterday, seeking resolution to various challenges following this year's placement exercise. About 500 people thronged the centre at the beginning of working hours, with officials working tirelessly to address the issues in a relatively orderly manner until after 5 p.m.

The challenges presented to the resolution team were diverse, including students not being placed by the computer system at all, or being placed in schools they did not choose. Some students who opted for day schools were offered boarding options, while others who preferred boarding schools were placed in day schools. Additionally, some day students raised concerns about placements far from their places of residence.

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, visited the national resolution centre to assess the complaints resolution process and assured parents, guardians, and students that the challenges would be resolved before the reopening date of October 18, 2025. He explained that the ministry anticipated some challenges with the placement system and factored that into the scheduling of the reopening date to allow enough time for the issues to be addressed.

"We acknowledge that not everyone has been placed in his or her school of choice, but we are committed to ensuring that every child is placed in a school that will serve their educational needs," Dr. Apaak said. He attributed the high demand for Grade A schools to the limited availability of spaces, noting that "it is not possible that everyone will get the school of their choice, particularly in the Grade A schools, because the numbers seeking those schools far exceed the available slots."

Despite assurances from the Ministry of Education, some parents and students expressed frustration with the placement process. A student, Sarah Appiah, was placed at Abease State College, a day school in Cape Coast, and was not satisfied with the choice. Another student, Evelyn Kwafie, was admitted to St Fidelis Secondary Technical/Vocational School in Kwahu, a boarding school too far from her residence in Accra, despite selecting only day schools.

A parent, Kolog Boar, requested a girls' day school for his daughter, but she was placed in Obuasi Secondary/Technical School, a mixed boarding school. Another parent, a resident of Accra, said his daughter, who had health issues, was placed in a school outside Accra. A pastor, who preferred not to be named, said his ward was placed at St John's Grammar School as a day student, but due to his transfer to Kumasi, he wanted her to be placed in a boarding school in the Eastern Region.

Dr. Apaak assured parents and students that the ministry was committed to resolving the issues, saying, "Even if we are not able to solve every single problem, we will solve the majority of them. By the time students are expected to report on October 18, these issues will have been resolved."

Credit - Graphic Online