MoE explains 30% Category A SHS placement slot for govt JHS
The Ministry of Education after the Private Schools Council lamented over 30% of school placement into Category A Senior High/Technical Schools for public Junior High School students says the move is to ensure equity in the placement.
A deputy spokesman of the Ministry, Ernest Akosah explaining the 30% quota said such a percentage is allotted to public students because the learning facilities in public schools are not adequate, as compared to those in private institutions.
“We (Ministry of Education) have what we call 30% equity quota that we give to those who attended public schools because, if you look at the infrastructure and logistics in the government Junior High Schools (JHS) in the country
we try to also create that enabling environment so that they can also have the opportunity to taste what is happening at Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Achimota Senior High School and other Category A schools,” Mr Enerst said.
Asked whether students are placed based on their school selection or grade, he said the computer school placement purely based on merit also depends on the aggregate, raw score and available vacancies in various second cycle schools.
“We look at the aggregate, raw score, and available vacancies, adding that some students choose Category B schools out of fear that they may not get into any Category A Senior High/Technical Schools,” the MoE spokesperson noted.
How to check your school placement
1. Visit the school placement portal
2. Click on check placement
3. Enter your Index number
4. Enter your 10 digit E-voucher pin and
5. Enter your 5 digit pin code
6. Click on proceed and wait a few minutes for the next window to display your school placement.
How to do self-placement at cssps.gov.gh
1. Visit the computer school placement portal
2. Then select the check placement module on the left-hand side
3. Enter your BECE Index Number (eg. 100000000022) and
4. Enter your 10 digit E-voucher pin and
5. Enter your 5 digit pin code
6. Click on Proceed to be redirected to the self-placement module
When redirected successfully to the Self-placement module, you will be provided with a selection of schools to pick from based on the aggregate or grade you had in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
7. Choose carefully your desired second cycle school
8. Choose your residential preference (Day/Boarding).
9. Select your programme of choice
10. After doing all the necessary checks, confirm and print. Remember that once you have completed the selection process it can not be undone or changed
My concern as a Ghanaian parent is that the 30% slot for learners in public schools into category A school is discriminatory. If we want all Ghanaian children to enjoy equity, then facilities that will enhance learning in the favoured (public) school must be beefed up.
Additionally, all Ghanaian children must be given an equitable share in gaining admission into the second cycle category A schools. If it is because of facilities then we must not deny the public schools. Let’s enrol on a policy that will not encourage laziness but rather discourage hard work.