An educationist and international relations expert, Mr. Nichiren Appiah Buadi, has described the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) as a good initiative but called for stronger regulation and improvements to make the system more effective.
According to Mr. Buadi, the computerized placement system has significantly reduced the human factor and potential interference in the selection and placement of students into Senior High Schools (SHSs).
However, he believes there is still room for improvement, particularly in addressing the challenges confronting parents and students during the placement process.
Speaking on the BlueWaves Radio Breakfast Show, Mr. Buadi said the government must continue to strengthen the computerized system to make school placement more transparent, efficient and less susceptible to human influence.
His comments come amid concerns over the ongoing placement of students into Senior High Schools, with reports indicating that a significant number of students are yet to secure placement.
According to figures from the Ministry of Education, approximately 354,985 students are yet to be placed in various Senior High Schools, a situation that has reportedly created anxiety and difficulties for many parents and guardians.
Mr. Buadi stressed that rather than abandoning the computerized placement system, authorities must identify its weaknesses and introduce measures to improve its effectiveness.
He argued that a properly regulated computerized system remains one of the best approaches to ensuring fairness and reducing human interference in the placement process.
Upper East Education Office Responds
Meanwhile, BlueWaves Radio followed up with the Upper East Regional Education Office to ascertain whether the region was experiencing challenges with the placement exercise and what measures were being put in place to address them.
The Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr. Nathaniel N-Yaaba, acknowledged that the office had not yet receive concerns relating to the placement process.
He disclosed that the Regional Education Directorate would soon establish a resolution centre at its office to assist parents and students who encounter difficulties with their placements.
In a WhatsApp chat with BlueWaves Breakfast show host Maurice Duncan, Mr. N-Yaaba said:
“We have not started receiving complaints, though the resolution centre will be set up in our office.”
The planned resolution centre is expected to provide a platform for affected parents and students to seek assistance and have their placement-related concerns addressed.
As the placement exercise continues, stakeholders are calling for improved coordination, timely communication and greater efficiency to ensure that students are placed in appropriate schools without unnecessary delays.
For many parents and students, the expectation is that the authorities will resolve the outstanding challenges quickly and ensure a smooth transition into the new academic year.
Source: Mybluewavesonline.come/ Maurice Duncan/ Upper East Region
