The Head of Public Relations at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Daniel Fenyi, has appealed to parents to accept that not every student can be placed in a Category A school, explaining that most complaints about the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) stem from preference mismatches rather than technical faults in the placement process.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Fenyi disclosed that this year’s placement exercise achieved an 87.3 percent automatic placement rate, an improvement on last year’s 82 percent, following a review of the process conducted after the previous placement cycle.
Mr Fenyi explained that the improvement from 82 percent to 87.3 percent resulted directly from a deliberate review undertaken by GES to strengthen the automatic placement process.
He said the remaining 13 percent of students were required to undergo self-placement and noted that a significant number of them have since completed this process.
Addressing concerns about the CSSPS, Mr Fenyi was emphatic that the technical challenges associated with the system are quite limited. He explained that out of roughly 600,000 students due for placement this year, a little over half indicated a preference for Category A schools.
“There are only about 89 Category A schools, so definitely there is a problem there.”
Daniel Fenyi
He explained that this mismatch between demand and available space, rather than any flaw in the system’s technical operation, accounts for the bulk of complaints raised by students and parents.
He noted that a visit to GES offices would reveal that almost everyone seeking assistance has already been placed in a school and is instead seeking a change of school or boarding status.
Legitimate Grounds for School Change
Mr Fenyi acknowledged that some requests for school changes carry genuine merit. He cited examples such as parents who relocated to a different region after their ward had already selected schools based on their previous location, noting that such cases are considered once supporting evidence, such as proof of transfer, is provided.
He also referenced cases involving students who experienced accidents or health issues that prevent them from honouring their original placement, stressing that such requests are not about disliking the assigned school but about genuine personal circumstances requiring accommodation.
Mr Fenyi highlighted specific technical improvements introduced this year, including the placement of admission letters and school prospectuses directly on the CSSPS portal, allowing students and parents to access their school information, admission letters and prospectus details in one place.
He acknowledged that the system remains imperfect and said the GES team will continue reviewing administrative lapses to strengthen the placement process further.
“It is work in progress. We are seeing positive signals, and we will review the losses to see how best we can satisfy parents.”
Daniel Fenyi
Direct Appeal to Parents
Mr Fenyi’s central appeal centred on managing parental and student expectations around school placement outcomes. He stressed that not every ward can be placed in a Category A school, and indeed, not every ward will be placed in a Category B school either, given the limited number of available slots relative to the demand.
He urged parents to accept the schools to which their wards have been posted and to work collaboratively with school authorities to ensure their children receive the support needed to progress through their education, regardless of the category of school assigned.
A System Under Continuous Review
Mr Fenyi indicated that GES anticipates further improvements to the placement system in subsequent years, describing the current process as an evolving one rather than a finished product.
He said the team intends to build on this year’s gains by addressing identified administrative lapses ahead of future placement cycles.
As the new academic year continues, GES’s emphasis on managing expectations around Category A placements may help reduce friction between the Service and parents navigating the placement process.
Attention will likely remain on whether next year’s placement exercise builds further on this year’s 87.3 percent automatic placement rate, and whether continued portal improvements reduce the volume of in-person complaints currently directed at GES offices.
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