IFEST proposes radical overhaul of school placement system

The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST), a leading education policy think tank, has called for a major reform of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), arguing that the recurring challenges faced by parents and students each year must be addressed with lasting solutions.

Executive Director of IFEST, Dr Peter Anti Partey, said the focus should move beyond temporary fixes to implementing concrete measures before the 2026 placement exercise. “For over a decade, we have been doing the same things, and the results are clear for all to see. The question is: what new measures can we implement within a year to ensure we do not face the same challenges again next year?” he asked.

According to him, data from resolution centres shows that the main complaint from parents is dissatisfaction with the schools allocated to their wards, as they are often not among their top choices. He suggested that the placement process should be redesigned to reflect a better match between results and aspirations.

Three priorities for reform

IFEST has outlined three proposals for the 2026 CSSPS. The first is to allow school selection only after the release of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results. Dr Partey said this would give parents a chance to revise their choices based on actual performance.

The second is to strengthen weaker schools. He called for targeted investment in category “B” and “C” schools to upgrade their facilities and improve confidence in their quality. “No parent should be faulted for wanting a quality secondary education for their child. It is the responsibility of authorities to ensure every school has adequate resources,” he noted.

The third proposal is the introduction of a secondary school affiliate system. This would see elite category “A” schools, such as Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), linked to two or more schools in rural or underserved areas to share resources and expertise, thereby improving public trust in a wider pool of schools.

Dr Partey concluded that if these measures are pursued alongside existing interventions, the long queues at placement resolution centres could finally be eliminated. “If the focus is on finding solutions and not benefiting from the faulty system, then we know what to do,” he added.

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