By: Deborah Amewoyi
The government has restored the selection of Senior High School options/ choices for the Basic Education Certificate Examination candidates ahead of their scheduled exams next month across various Junior High Schools in the country.
In a directive by the Free Senior High School Secretariat, All BECE candidates are required to select a maximum of seven second cycle institutions they would like to attend upon acing their BECE before the due date for the exams.
Addressing the press yesterday, May 27, National Coordinator for the Free SHS Programme, Benita Sena Okity – Duah registered that the previous system where schools are selected after the examination was stressful and frustrating indicating that falling back on this new directive will reduce stress on Parents and students.
The school selection exercise which commenced yesterday, May 27 will be ending on Friday June, 6 2025. This will be followed by the commencement of the BECE on June 9 through to June 16, 2025. Students have being advised to adhere to the guidelines regarding the school selection processes.
Notably all students are required to select five main choices and two alternatives summing up to the seven required choices of Senior High Schools. Most importantly, school selection must include;
- 3 boarding options schools and 2 day options schools under the 5 main choices.
- A maximum of 1 category A and a Maximum of two category B schools. Students are permitted to select 5 of their main choices from Category C school if necessary.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Education Minister, Clement Apaak added that all head teachers and teachers are restricted from assisting students during the selection processes, “No headteacher or teacher is permitted to complete the selection form on behalf of a student without the explicit consent of the parent or guardian. The form must be signed by the parent or guardian and submitted to the headteacher of the candidate’s junior high school” he stressed.
“It is crucial that parents take an active interest in this process, as the choices made will determine the senior high school their wards attend after completing basic education.” he added.
Despite this reform, Parents are advised to seek counsel from the schools authorities during the selection process.
Dr. Clement Apaak also hinted on efforts made by the government to migrate private senior high schools onto the the Free SHS Programme. “We have been working very diligently to bring on board private senior high schools to participate in the delivery of the Free Senior High School programme. Meetings have been held, engagements have been done, and we are very certain that the diligence we expect from our side and the eagerness by the private schools, we know the private schools will deliver” he revealed.
