The Education Policy Institute Africa (EDUPA) has praised the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for their collaborative efforts in establishing “a more efficient and transparent system” for the senior high school placements this year.
According to EDUPA, the “seamless” process has played a pivotal role in ensuring the timely reopening date for Form 1 students. The initially controversial December 4 reopening date led to parliamentary scrutiny and summoned the sector minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
However, EDUPA’s statement on December 4, signed by Executive Secretary Mark Ewusi Arkoh, commended the Ministry and the agency, emphasizing the need for collective support, noting that this year’s placements have been notably transparent.
“The system’s integrity has been bolstered, thereby ensuring fairness and equitable distribution of placements based on students’ performance, merit and school capacities.
“The timely dissemination of information and updates by the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service has played a vital role in facilitating effective communication with students, parents, and other stakeholders. This initiative has minimized confusion and helped alleviate anxiety just as placement process began.”
EDUPA
EDUPA commended the two bodies “for building upon this success and urge them to continue to explore opportunities for further enhancements in the coming years”.
It called upon all and sundry to “support this transformative initiative by providing the necessary support to ensure the betterment of Ghana’s education”.
Senior High School Placement Brouhaha
Over the years, school placement has been at the center of national controversy. Parents, headmasters, schools and students have bewailed at the disappointments the placement unfolded. This was mainly due to lack of transparency, a strong perception of corruption and manipulation of the system.
One major concern is the inadequate infrastructure and resources in some schools, leading to overcrowded classrooms and compromised learning environments.
This brouhaha prolonged the discussion and placements of many students such that reporting to school could not be immediate. Another source of controversy is the perceived lack of transparency in the placement process. Accusations of favoritism, and manipulation of placement algorithms have fueled public skepticism. The delays and technical glitches in the online placement system had also contributed to frustrations, leaving many students uncertain about their educational future.
Additionally, the limited options for vocational and technical institutions have raised questions about the government’s commitment to providing diverse educational opportunities. Critics argued that a more inclusive approach is needed to cater to the varied interests and career aspirations of students.
However, this year’s placement has been general uneventful as the process has been deemed seamless for most students. Given the nature of the process, most students are able to return to school quite immediately after the release of their schools.
Moreover, the school year which pre-COVID lasted September to July was significantly altered to January to November post-COVID. Also, parents at the basic school level complained of the difficulty of buying books right after the festive season’s expenses. Prior, they bought their ward/s’ learning resources in the cool of September.
Hence, the Ghana Education among other reasons aimed at returning to the old academic calendar by speeding up the current calendar which have affected the reopening dates for the senior high school.
In spite of the general concerns of parents as reechoed in parliament, the need to report so early is a very important one for the smooth running of the entire education sector. Notwithstanding that these students will soon go on break during the festive season, it is still useful for them to report and get their orientation done.
That way, they may be able to start lessons right away after their break.
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