Former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Charles Aheto Tsegah, has criticised the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), saying it has failed to resolve the longstanding challenges associated with placing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates into senior high schools (SHS) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.
According to Mr Aheto Tsegah, the CSSPS was introduced primarily to address concerns over the manual placement system, particularly allegations of corruption, favouritism and undue influence by headteachers in the admission process. However, he argues that the computerised system has fallen short of its intended purpose, especially in tackling the fundamental difficulties involved in placing students into second-cycle institutions.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, September 12, Mr Aheto Tsegah explained that the CSSPS was designed to reduce the discretion previously exercised by headteachers and replace it with a computer-based process aimed at making placement fairer and more transparent.
He noted that, prior to the introduction of the CSSPS, there was widespread concern about the role of headteachers in student placement, with allegations of corruption and manipulation becoming a major factor behind the decision to abandon the traditional manual system.
“The change to the CSSPS system was driven by deep suspicion regarding the actions of headteachers. Many people accused them of corruption, which led to a loss of power for these headteachers. The hope was that the CSSPS system, with its algorithms, would correct procedural issues and address the various problems associated with student placement.
Unfortunately, we have not succeeded in this endeavour. I recently spoke with one of the individuals who led the transition, and I expressed my concern that we have failed in our mission. If we cannot address the key issues that prompted us to implement the CSSPS in the first place, then we have truly failed. It may be time to return control to the headteachers.”
