We’ll abolish ‘BECE’ 30% priority SHS placement system – Mahama

John Dramani Mahama if elected president in the upcoming 2024 election has pledged to scrap the 30% Senior High School (SHS) placement system which advantage public BECE candidates over their colleagues in the private sector.

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress gave that assurance in his address as a guest of honour at the launch of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) Week celebration held at the GNAT Hall, Accra.

Under the theme “2024 Elections; the Private Education Manifesto”, Mahama emphasized the pivotal role private schools play in Ghana’s education landscape and their commitment to advocating for policies that address the challenges faced by the private education sector.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has reviewed the 30% placement policy into ‘Category A’ Senior High Schools to include private Junior High School (JHS) students to partake in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The review comes after the Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Adutwum on November 13, 2023, had a crunch meeting with the leadership of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) on the school placement system.

The 30% placement allotment to public school BECE candidates, a spokesman for the Education Ministry, Ernest Arkosah has indicated is to ensure equity in the Second cycle school placement of the students who sit for the national examination.

Explaining the 30% placement quota, the Education Ministry official said such a percentage is allotted to public students because the learning facilities in public schools are not adequate, as compared to those in private institutions.

“We (Ministry of Education) have what we call 30% equity quota that we give to those who attended public schools because if you look at the infrastructure and logistics in the government Junior High Schools (JHS) in the country

We try to also create that enabling environment so that they can also have the opportunity to taste what is happening at Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Achimota Senior High School and other Category A schools,” Mr Enerst said.