Following the initial shortcomings of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), the Ministry of Education has now provided a second opportunity for 57,259 unsuccessful BECE candidates to gain entry to Senior High Schools through the self-placement mechanism. Editorial Standards
These are candidates who achieved a grade 9 in English Language or Mathematics, or both, in the 2026 BECE but did not secure an automatic place in any SHS.
The announcement was made by the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, at a press briefing in Accra. He explained that this remedial measure was aimed at preventing eligible BECE candidates from being sidelined in the second cycle education system unnecessarily.
The Deputy Minister noted that the 57,259 applicants could be put into categories. Thirty-three percent (3,372) candidates failed to write the BECE, whereas thirty-five thousand three hundred and eighty-two (35,382) obtained the score of 9 in either English or Mathematics.
Eighteen thousand five hundred and five (18,505)candidates scored 9 in both subject-papers.”Correspondingly, it means that any candidate who obtains a score of 9 either in English Language or Mathematics, or both, will be allowed entry into the self-placement facility,” said the minister.
The Ministry added that this would enable students to view schools and courses with vacancies before they exhaust.The self-placement system gives students another way of being accepted into SHS when their selected schools could not accommodate them by a preliminary placement exercise. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Dr. Apaak said government was urging students and parents to be more hopeful as there were many schools and a diverse array of courses yet to be allocated. “The intention is to give all of our deserving children the chance to receive the second cycle education they deserve,” added Dr. Apaak.According to the minister, the self-placement website is active.
This system will enable all of the 3,372 candidates who did not sit the exam, 35,382 and 18,505 who failed to get a single-digit pass mark to browse through schools and programmes which are offering admission and accept places where available.
It will also help those who failed to gain entrance into the “very competitive schools” and now consider the available programs. The Minister therefore called on candidates to look carefully through programs.
Dr. Apaak said apart from opening the system again, his Ministry has taken several other measure to provide assistance to candidates and students.
A Placement Resolution Center has been set up in the Ministry and in every region to receive students and help them find a suitable school.
This measure would also reduce long and travel cost from the villages and distant parts of the country into Accra, he explained.
Parents and students struggling with placement challenges were advised to report to the Ghana Education Service or the Ghana TVET Service at their various regional offices first before traveling to Accra. Newscard
He also confirmed the activation of dedicated call center hot lines to further assist with concerns about the 2026 admission system.
The Ministry gave the following numbers: 055 037 7388, 059 952 5926, 059 844 5898.
The announcement came during a challenging period for many Ghanaian families as students prepare to transition to second cycle education.
While the CSSPS continues to be an integral part of this process, challenges with school capacity have often led to a large number of candidates unable to enroll in their chosen schools immediately after results are released.
The self-placement system aims to address this gap by leveraging existing vacant spots in the system.The 57,259 candidates are expected to review schools and courses carefully now, selecting options that best fit their academic aspirations and geographical locations.
The government stressed its commitment to providing educational opportunities for its youth while maintaining the integrity of the examination and placement systems.