IFEST calls for audit and overhaul of computer school placement system

The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST), following the Ministry of Education’s decision to review the Computerized School Selection and Placement System, has called for a complete audit and overhaul of the CSSPS.

In an interview on Accra-based Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, the Executive Director of IFEST, Dr Peter Anti, said a detailed audit is the first and most crucial step to determining whether the current system is fit for purpose.

“The first thing that I think they need to do is to do an audit of the system,” he said, adding that “Information we are picking indicates that there have been some changes in the original system that has been in place for some period.”

Dr Anti explained that the audit will help reveal whether the current software and processes are robust enough to continue, or if a completely new system is required to address persistent challenges with transparency, fairness, and efficiency.

Beyond the technical audit, Dr. Anti also called for a deeper rethink of the computerized school placement model itself, particularly the timing of school selection.

“There should be a comprehensive review about the model of selection that we have adopted,” the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) Director told the host of the Eyewitness News show.

The IFEST official added, “Most of these issues emanate from the fact that students are made to select schools before they see their results. This kind of anticipated performance is what creates the problem.”

He argued that allowing students to choose second-cycle schools only after they know their actual performance would reduce emotional decision-making and better align expectations with outcomes.

His call for an audit and overhaul of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System comes after the Education Minister revealed plans to set up a committee to review the CSSPS and explore more credible, merit-based alternatives.

“The Computerized Placement System is not working well for the country, and I’m happy to review this,” the Minister said. “Nobody would accept that you get aggregate six, and you can’t get the school of your first choice,” Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said.

The Education Ministry said the review will involve broad consultations with students, parents, and education managers to ensure fairness and equity in the placement of students into Senior High Schools.

“It means that the computerized placement system is not working well for the country, and I’m happy to review it, and I will review it,” the Education Minister stated.

He added, “I’ll put in place a committee to review its performance over the decade, and then give me a credible alternative. What we need is meritorious admission. Nobody would accept that you get an Aggregate 6, and you can’t get the spot of your first choice. That’s unfair, and we’ll look very closely into that.”