The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that candidates who participated in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will be able to select their preferred senior high schools (SHSs) from Monday, July 20, to Friday, August 7, 2026.
The school selection exercise is a key stage in preparing for the placement of successful candidates into senior high schools and technical institutions for the 2026/2027 academic year through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
In a circular addressed to Regional Directors of Education, the GES instructed them to notify all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Directors of Education to actively supervise and support the exercise within their respective jurisdictions.
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The directive comes ahead of a nationwide training and orientation programme on the 2026 School Selection Guidelines and Placement Procedures, which will run from Wednesday, July 15, to Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
According to the GES, the training is intended to equip education officials with a thorough understanding of the updated guidelines, enabling them to effectively oversee the school selection process.
New Changes to the 2026 SHS Selection Process
This year’s selection process introduces significant changes. Unlike previous years, when candidates selected their preferred schools before sitting for the BECE, students will now make their choices after reviewing their examination performance and assessing their academic strengths.
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Another major adjustment is the increase in the number of schools candidates can select. Under the revised guidelines, each candidate will choose eight senior high schools instead of the previous seven.
In addition, candidates must select two Category A schools, consisting of one boarding school and one day school located within their district, as part of the mandatory requirements.
GES says these changes are intended to improve the effectiveness of the CSSPS and minimise placement challenges after the release of BECE results.
2026 BECE Participation Figures
The 2026 BECE was held between May 4 and May 11, 2026, with 620,141 candidates sitting the examination nationwide.
The total number comprised 304,349 boys and 315,792 girls drawn from 20,395 schools across the country.
The examination was conducted at 2,303 centres, with oversight provided by 2,303 supervisors, 2,070 assistant supervisors, and 21,791 invigilators.
READ ALSO: Key Dates for 2026 BECE Results, Placement and SHS Reopening
GES Assures Parents and Candidates of Placement
The Ghana Education Service has assured parents, guardians, and candidates that adequate preparations have been made to place every qualified student into senior high schools and technical institutions.
The Service has also dismissed reports claiming that large numbers of candidates could miss out on placement, describing such assertions as unfounded and misleading.
According to GES, sufficient classroom space, infrastructure, and other resources have been made available to accommodate all eligible students when the 2026/2027 academic year begins on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Parents and candidates are encouraged to rely only on official GES announcements and carefully follow the approved school selection guidelines to ensure a successful placement process.