The Member of Parliament for Asokwa and Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has called on the Ministry of Education to urgently resolve operational challenges affecting the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

Speaking to the media during a tour of several basic and junior high schools (JHS) in her constituency on the first day of the academic term, Appiagyei said she had received widespread complaints from parents and guardians over the placement process.

According to the MP, many Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates have been placed in schools that were not among their preferred choices despite obtaining the required aggregate scores.

She said some students with strong academic performance, including those with aggregate scores between 18 and 21, had yet to receive placements.

“The persistent glitches and delays within the CSSPS are creating significant anxiety and frustration among parents who are desperate to secure placements for their children,” the Deputy Minority Leader said.

She added that the situation required urgent intervention from the education authorities.

Concerns over Free SHS implementation

Appiagyei attributed some of the challenges to what she described as difficulties in managing the logistics of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, which was introduced under the previous administration.

The Free SHS policy was introduced in September 2017 under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove financial barriers to secondary education by covering tuition, boarding, textbook and feeding costs for eligible students.

The policy covers qualified JHS graduates transitioning to senior high schools and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.

Appiagyei argued that the current administration’s handling of the placement process suggested a lack of familiarity with the system’s underlying structure.

“The government is struggling with these operational challenges because they did not design the policy framework. The Free SHS initiative was engineered to guarantee seamless, fee-free access for every qualified graduate, and it must be maintained with the administrative rigour it requires,” she said.

First-day school engagement

During the constituency tour, the Asokwa Municipal Director of Education, Rev Ebenezer Oteng Marfo, commended local basic schools for recording high attendance on the opening day of the academic calendar.

Addressing pupils, Oteng Marfo highlighted the importance of education and encouraged them to remain committed to their studies.

“I urge you to stay focused on your studies so you can develop into responsible leaders and citizens capable of taking up key roles in society,” he said.

As part of the visit, Appiagyei distributed educational materials, including exercise books, pencils, erasers, colouring sets and snacks, particularly to pupils entering school for the first time.

The delegation visited Larbec International School, Christlove Educational Complex, Dompoase M/A Basic and JHS, Sukuriya Islamic Basic and the Gyinyase Cluster of Schools.

She was accompanied by officials from the Asokwa Municipal Education Directorate, New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency executives, electoral area coordinators and other community stakeholders.