The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that the government is undertaking a CSSPS review in Ghana to improve fairness and efficiency in the school placement process. He made this announcement during a visit to the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, on Monday, October 20, where he inspected facilities and engaged with school officials to evaluate the admission system.

Mr. Iddrisu expressed concern about the growing number of complaints from parents and students who were dissatisfied with the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). According to him, several students were denied their preferred programmes despite achieving excellent grades. “I have observed that some parents and students are genuinely unhappy. A student may select Science but end up placed in General Arts or Business. That discourages academic motivation,” he noted.

The Minister stressed that the current placement mechanism is not performing as expected and requires urgent improvement. “It means that the system is not working well for the country, and I am happy to review it. I’ll form a committee to evaluate its performance over the past decade and propose a credible alternative. What Ghana needs is a merit-based admission process,” he said. He added that no student who attains an Aggregate 6 should be denied their first-choice school, describing such outcomes as unfair and demotivating.

Haruna Iddrisu also addressed broader challenges affecting the implementation of Free Senior High School (Free SHS) education in Ghana. He stated that ensuring quality education requires deliberate and sustainable investments in infrastructure, including expanded classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories. “My observation is that we need to manage the challenges in delivering quality Free SHS. Expanding classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories is essential for better learning outcomes,” he explained.

He further commended the contributions of old students, churches, and other partners in promoting quality education, particularly acknowledging the role of the Presbyterian Church. “I appreciate the strong bond between the church and the state, especially the Presbyterian Church, for their enduring support in education delivery,” he said.

The Minister praised PRESEC, Legon, for its outstanding legacy of academic excellence and its contribution to national development. He cited notable alumni such as Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr. Okoe Boye as examples of the school’s success. However, he admitted that the school faces significant infrastructure challenges. “Classrooms, dormitories, and laboratories are inadequate and require urgent improvement,” he observed.

To address these concerns, Mr. Iddrisu promised that PRESEC would be among a special group of ten schools selected for targeted infrastructure development. “I’ll select a special group of ten schools for infrastructure enhancement, and PRESEC will be one of them,” he assured.

Meanwhile, about 590,000 first-year Senior High School (SHS) students began reporting to their respective schools between Saturday, October 18, and Monday, October 20, 2025, marking the start of the 2025/2026 academic year.