PTA welcomes school selection changes, calls for swift implementation

Gapson Kofi Raphael, General Secretary of the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), welcomed changes to the school selection process and called for swift implementation on April 2. He said the government's latest education reforms, particularly changes to the school selection process, could address long-standing challenges, but insists authorities must "walk the talk" to deliver results before students return to school after the BECE.

Mr. Raphael said the measures announced by the Education Minister signal that the government is responsive but cautioned that implementation will be key to restoring confidence in the system. He noted that giving students a window after results to validate their choices could significantly reduce "anxiety, tension, frustration, and the psychological war" associated with the placement process. The policy shift, announced on April 1, 2026, changes the timing of the Senior High School (SHS) selection process under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), where candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will now select their preferred schools only after their results are released. Mr. Raphael urged government to ensure timelines are strictly adhered to, especially as final-year Junior High School students prepare to sit for the BECE in May.

Mr. Raphael suggested that within the next two to three years, stakeholders should begin to see tangible improvements in classroom outcomes and overall system performance. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) maintains that the BECE remains the official placement examination for now. Government has also introduced the National Standard Assessment Test (NSAT) at Primary 2, 4, 6, and JHS 2 levels to track learning progress earlier part of broader efforts to improve quality and accountability in the sector.