With the release of the new SHS1 school prospectus, must parents visit school for registration before the official reporting date?
Following the release of the Free SHS Harmonised SHS1 Prospectus by the Ghana Education Service (GES), parents and guardians have started asking questions and seeking answers since the GES did not provide additional information on them.
Below are some of the questions and answers to help parents and their wards prepare for a seamless preparation period and reporting for school from October 18th to 20th, 2025.
What if my child’s school rejects the harmonised list and provides its own?
This is a valid concern. The GES has issued this as a directive, and schools are expected to comply.
If you face this situation, you can report the issue to your District Education Office or the Ghana Education Service through its official social media platforms such as Facebook.
The contact for the school placement resolution can also be used to report such issues if the need arises. The members of parliament for the respective regions would also be useful for reporting such issues. No teacher or head teacher has the right to add any unapproved items to the list provided by the GES.
However, for a smooth registration process, it may be pragmatic to engage the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to seek clarity on this matter.
Do students and parents need to visit the school for registration before the official reporting date?
Your placement form is the most critical document. Nearly all parents have the most important documents to help them complete the enrolment processes.
Some schools have their own online enrolment registration portal. If this is active, parents can complete all the registration processes online without the need to visit the school ahead of the enrolment date.
Visiting the school your ward has been placed in from 23rd September to 17th October before school reopens for your ward will help you understand the school’s enrolment process.
Other information, such as the school’s brochure containing the rules and regulations of the school, among others, will be provided by the school.
Some schools also have additional forms to be filled out by the student and parents.
If parents visit the school ahead of enrolment, it will help them also familiarise themselves with the school, including how to get to the school and the processes, among other things. This will save time and reduce stress on the reporting date.
While the placement slip and enrolment forms downloaded from the school placement portal contain the reporting date and initial instructions.
Finally, unless explicitly stated on the form or in a subsequent official announcement from the GES, all registration formalities should happen upon reporting to the school.
READ: New SHS1 Harmonized Prospectus Released: Red, Orange and Green Prospectus
Final Checklist for Parents and Students Ahead of Reporting to School From 18th-20th October, 2025
- Download the Official Prospectus: Use the official PDF version of the 2025/2026 Harmonised Prospectus from the GES website or credible educational portals.
- Confirm with the School: A quick phone call to the school’s administration can save you a lot of trouble.
- Address Placement Issues Promptly: Use the official CSSPS portal for any placement needs and be patient with technical issues. Visit the GES regional offices for support.
- Education, counsel and guide learners to know and understand why they are going to secondary school.
- Prepare for Day One: Gather the required items on the list well ahead of the reporting date to avoid a last-minute rush.