Parents, Students Flood SHS Placement Centre Over Unresolved Challenges

Hundreds of frustrated parents, guardians, and students thronged the National Resolution Centre in Accra yesterday to address challenges arising from this year’s Senior High School (SHS) computerised placement exercise.

The complaints largely centred on students not being placed at all, being assigned to schools they did not choose, or being offered boarding instead of day status, and vice versa. Some day students also raised concerns about being placed in schools located far from their homes.

By the start of working hours, about 500 people had already gathered at the centre, where officials processed complaints in an orderly manner throughout the day until after 5 p.m.

Assurance from the Ministry

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, who visited the centre to monitor the situation, assured parents and students that the challenges would be addressed before the official reopening of schools on October 18, 2025.

He explained that the ministry anticipated such challenges and had factored them into the school reopening schedule.

“We acknowledge that not everyone has been placed in their preferred school, but we are committed to ensuring that every child is enrolled in a school that meets their educational needs,” he said.

Dr. Apaak further noted that the high demand for Grade A schools continued to exceed available spaces, stressing that not all students could be accommodated in such institutions. He encouraged parents and students to appreciate the value of other schools across the country, which he said were equally capable of nurturing academic growth.

Lingering Complaints

Despite the assurances, many parents and students expressed dissatisfaction with their placements.

A student, Sarah Appiah, lamented being assigned to Abease State College in Cape Coast as a day student, while another, Evelyn Kwafie, complained that she had applied for only day schools but was instead offered a boarding place at St. Fidelis Secondary Technical/Vocational School in Kwahu, far from her Accra home.

Parents also shared frustrations, with some citing health challenges of their wards, long travel distances, and mismatched placements such as being assigned to mixed boarding schools when girls’ day schools had been requested.

While acknowledging that not all problems might be resolved, Dr. Apaak assured that the majority would be addressed before students resume school.