A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Anning, has raised concerns over the Senior High School (SHS) placement system, particularly the inability of some students with good academic results to secure admission to their preferred schools.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s EBAANOSEN, hosted by Ohene Kinnah, Mr. Anning questioned why students who obtain aggregates such as six, seven and eight could still be placed in schools that were not among their preferred choices. He argued that students who perform well academically should have a fair opportunity to attend schools that match their results and choices.
Mr. Anning said the situation places an additional burden on parents, many of whom spend significant amounts on extra classes to help their children achieve good grades. He expressed concern that after such efforts, some students are still unable to gain admission to their preferred schools because of the placement system.
He also criticised the politicisation of education, arguing that successive governments should build on successful policies rather than abandoning them because they were introduced by a previous administration. He cited the Free SHS policy under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, saying it expanded access to secondary education and created opportunities for many young people to pursue various professions.
Mr. Anning therefore called for reforms to the placement system to ensure that students’ academic performance, school capacity, facilities and choices are properly considered. He maintained that the system should be fair and transparent, particularly for students who obtain strong grades but risk being placed in schools they did not select.
By: Ernest Kumi
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