GES releases 2021/2022 Computerized School Selection and Placement for all JHS graduates

The Ghana Education Service has announced its preparedness towards the commencement of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System for all Junior High School graduates who will be entering Senior High School in the 2021/2022 academic year.

A press release from them reads;

Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) wishes to announce that preparations are ongoing for the release of Senior High School Placement for the 2020/21 academic year.

Management also advises the general public to beware of fake news portals and rather follow GES official social media handles on Facebook (ges.gov.gh) Twitter (@gheduservice), Instagram (@gheduservice) and the website (ges.gov.gh) for credible information.

Finally, we wish to assure parents, guardians, candidates and the general public that we remain committed to ensuring a smooth, merit-based SHS placement process under established guidelines and look forward to their full cooperation in this regard.

Background of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) in Ghana

The CSSPS is the acronym for Computerized School Selection and Placement System. It is an automated merit-based computerized system that has replaced the laborious Manual System of Selection and Placement (MSSP) of qualified BECE candidates into the second cycle (Senior High Schools and Technical/Vocational) institutions in Ghana. The CSSPS was introduced in 2005 as part of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ghana Education Service (GES) grand plan of programmes and interventions intended to expand access and improve the quality of education through teaching and learning as well as curricular development.

The enactment of programmes and interventions was facilitated with the support of stakeholders in education who also include Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and development partners.

The main purposes for the introduction of the CSSPS were; to improve and enhance efficiency in the school transition process (that is transition from Junior High School to Senior High School); increase transparency, fairness, and cost-effectiveness. Added to these was to increase access and participation in secondary education and finally to ensure equity and speed in the selection and placement process.

In order to be eligible for consideration by the CSSPS process, candidates have to complete specially designed cards and scannable forms for processing by computer software which was specifically and specially developed for the system.

Since 2005, the process of selection and placement into senior high school, secondary technical, and the vocational school has been computerized. The main objectives for the introduction of the CSSPS were promoting efficiency, transparency, fairness, and equity, and speed in selection and placement.