Ferdinand | EducationGhana | June 05| BREAKING: Education Ministry Slashes 30% BECE Quota for Public School Candidates to 15%
The Ministry of Education has cut the public school BECE placement quota for top SHSs from 30% to 15%, starting with the 2025 candidates. Explore what this means for students, teachers, and Ghana’s education equity agenda.
The Ministry of Education has reduced the 30% placement quota for public school candidates in Grade ‘A’ senior high schools to 15%, beginning with the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) cohort. This move will directly affect placements for the 2025/26 academic year.
Until now, the Ghana Education Service (GES) reserved 30% of slots in top-performing SHSs such as Wesley Girls, Achimota, and Prempeh College for students from public basic schools as part of an affirmative action policy aimed at promoting equity. The remaining 70% was contested by both public and private school candidates.
However, under the revised policy, only 15% of the slots will be reserved exclusively for public school candidates, significantly altering the competitive landscape of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
“This new policy takes effect from the 2025/26 academic year,” said Benita Sena Okity-Duah, National Coordinator of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme. “We aim to create a more competitive and inclusive system, while ensuring fairness in access to top-tier senior high schools.”
Implications for Public School Candidates
This decision means that public school students will now have to compete more fiercely for a place in elite schools. It raises concerns about whether the intended equity agenda is being reversed.
Critics argue that public schools already face resource constraints compared to many private schools, and reducing their placement quota may widen the educational inequality gap.
Parents and education advocates have also raised questions about how this might impact rural and underserved districts, where quality access to basic education remains a challenge.
> Read also: 2025 BECE School Selection Guidelines Released by GES
The Rationale Behind the Policy Shift
While no official memo has been released to outline the comprehensive rationale, sources at the Ministry of Education suggest that the review aligns with efforts to standardize placement criteria and reward academic merit across all schools, regardless of ownership.
The change is also part of a broader policy review under the ongoing education reforms spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and its agencies like the GES, NaCCA, and the Free SHS Secretariat.
> Explore Ghana’s Free SHS Policy and Impact Reports
What This Means for 2025 BECE Candidates
Students preparing for the 2025 BECE will have to:
Choose their schools wisely, especially when targeting Category ‘A’ institutions
Excel in their exams to be competitive, as merit-based placement now has more weight
Expect intensified competition for elite school slots, especially in Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions
Educationists are urging parents and teachers to support learners early in the selection process and avoid misinformation.
> Check out: BECE School Placement Tips on EducationGhana.org
🗣 Calls for Broader Stakeholder Engagement
Civil society organizations like Africa Education Watch has called for wider consultation before implementing such far-reaching changes.
“This is not just a policy tweak. It could redefine access and opportunity for thousands of young Ghanaians,” said Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Eduwatch.
With public basic school enrolment already dwindling in urban areas, some believe the move could disincentivize public school attendance altogether.
>Read Also : 2025 BECE Timetable for School and Private Candidates Using the New Curriculum: Official Dates and Exam Details
✅ Ellis Ferdinand’s Editorial Take
This development will likely spark intense public discourse, especially as placement decisions often dominate post-BECE headlines every year.
EducationGhana.org will continue to monitor this unfolding story, bringing expert opinions, analysis, and resources to help students, parents, and educators navigate the new landscape.
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