Government has introduced a new policy requiring candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to choose their preferred senior high schools only after their results have been released.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the change on Wednesday, explaining that it forms part of wider reforms to the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). The aim is to help students make better-informed decisions about their academic future.
Previously, candidates had to select their senior high schools before writing the BECE, often without a clear idea of how well they would perform. According to the Minister, this frequently resulted in inappropriate placements and inefficiencies within the admission process.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Iddrisu stated that the revised system will include a compulsory one-week period after results are released, allowing students to confirm their school choices based on their actual performance.
“In the past, students selected schools without knowing their aggregate, which affected placements,” he noted. “Now, there will be a one-week window after results are released for candidates to make their final choices.”
He added that the new approach is expected to improve fairness, address challenges within the placement system, and enhance the overall efficiency of admissions into senior high schools