The computerized school selection and placement system (CSSPS) has introduced the new School Selection Cluster Option as part of the features of the 2022 School Selection choice-making for BECE candidates who sat for the examination.
Although the management of the Free SHS Secretariat and the CSSPS have to explain that the Cluster Option is not compulsory, it is important that parents, schools, and candidates understand how it is used and the advantages of making use of it.
What is the New Cluster Option Feature for the School Selection?
The Cluster Option in the 2022 School Selection is a feature that has a Yes and No option for each category a candidate is choosing a school from. A Yes choice means that the candidate is ready and willing to be placed in another school within a given category from which he or she chose a school.
Sample Category A Schools for Cluster Choice Explanation
For instance, the following schools are in Category A.
- Presec Legon
- Achimota
- St Thomas Aquinas
- Adisadel College
- Accra Girls
- Accra Academy
Now if a male student decides to choose Presec Legon and goes ahead to choose YES under the CLUSTER OPTION, he will be considered for placement in any of the Single sex boys’ schools and mixed-sex schools within the cluster that have vacancies for his programme, and accommodation type.
One of the benefits of making a YES Cluster choice is that the possibility of not being placed is reduced and the chance of getting placed in a school within the same category is higher. Candidates are encouraged to opt for the Cluster Option when selecting schools from Category A, B, and C or opt for the Yes option under the cluster feature in any of the categories to increase their chances of being placed and to avoid the stress that comes with not being placed or being asked to do self-placement.
READ: 2022 BECE School Selection and Choice: How to make intelligent picks
Why did the MoE introduce the Cluster School Selection Option?
The Ministry of Education has revealed that the Cluster School Selection idea was birthed from the fact that in 2021 not less than 3000 candidates scored between aggregate 9 and 15 but were not placed in a school within the Category from which they chose schools from. Hence, the cluster option will benefit candidates who are displaced or not placed in a school but had good grades to merit another school in the same category.
“The Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Adutwum suggested the implementation of the cluster of schools system after we noticed over 3,000 BECE students who had between aggregate 9 to 15 could not get placement last year,” he stated.
READ: 2022 Free SHS School Selection Form Released By Free SHS Secretariat
Final Advise on School Selection and Choice Making
The 2022 School Selection Phase for this year’s Junior High School Graduates will officially commence on 31st October and end on 18th November. Candidates are advised to select schools carefully with the help of their teachers, schools, and parents. Again, schools should be selected based on academic strength and not mere taste and preference because the placement is very competitive in all categories.
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