GES cautions SHS heads against rejecting placed first-year students

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned heads of Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country against turning away first-year students who have been placed in their schools under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

In a statement issued by the Director for Schools and Instructions Division, Prince C. Agyemang-Duah, the GES said it has received reports that some school heads are refusing admission to placed students, contrary to existing guidelines.

The management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) stated that every student officially placed in a school must be received and processed for admission without exception.

“Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has observed with concern reports that some heads of Senior High Schools are turning away students who have been placed in their schools under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

You are hereby cautioned not to turn away any student who has been officially placed in your school by the CSSPS,” the statement said.

The GES has urged heads that any concerns regarding placement, programme selection, accommodation, or related issues to formally reported through the Regional Director of Education to the Director-General for resolution.

The statement also warned that failure to comply may result in administrative sanctions against offending heads.

Relatedly, the Free Senior High School Secretariat has also cautioned heads of Senior High Schools against rejecting students who have been officially placed in their schools, warning that any school found culpable will be publicly named and reported to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for sanctions.

The Secretariat warning follows numerous complaints from parents that some schools had refused to admit their wards, claiming the students’ names were not on their admission lists, despite verification at the placement centre confirming their legitimacy.

In an interview, the Deputy Coordinator of the Free Senior High School Secretariat, Dr. Belinda Glover, expressed concern over the development, stressing that each placement corresponds to available spaces declared by the schools.

“Some parents come around saying they went to some schools and were turned away because their names were not on the list. Meanwhile, when they came here, their names were indeed on the list. So we are pleading with schools to stop. If a student is posted to your school, please assist them to register,” she said.