MoE asked to cancel BECE 30% SHS placement policy for govt JHS

The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has called on the Ministry of Education to cancel the 30% second cycle school (SHS) placement policy for public Junior High School (JHS) BECE students.

GNAPS President Prof. Damasus Tuurosong said the policy is unfair to private schools, as it prevents them from admitting some of the best-performing BECE candidates.

However, the Ministry of Education has defended the policy, saying it is necessary to ensure equity in the school placement system. The Ministry’s deputy spokesman, Ernest Akosah, said the 30% quota for public school students is needed because public schools have fewer resources than private schools.

Akosah also explained that students are placed in SHS based on their BECE performance and the availability of vacancies in various schools. He said some students choose Category B schools out of fear that they may not be placed in any Category A schools.

Overall, the GNAPS and the Ministry of Education have different views on the 30% SHS placement policy for public JHS BECE students. The GNAPS believes the policy is unfair to private schools, while the Ministry believes it is necessary to ensure equity in the school placement system.