Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has pushed back against calls for him to seek guidance from his predecessor, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, over the challenges confronting the 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
Mr Iddrisu questioned why he should be expected to rely on the former minister for solutions when the current administration inherited the existing placement system.
His comments come after Dr. Adutwum reportedly suggested on national television that the current Education Minister should consult him to help address the difficulties confronting the BECE school placement process.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Friday, September 11, Mr Iddrisu said he could consult Dr Adutwum out of respect for his age and experience, but maintained that the former minister should also recognise his responsibility as the sitting Education Minister.
He further questioned the effectiveness of the approach adopted by his predecessor in managing the placement system.
“If he did it better, why are we here?” Mr Iddrisu asked.
The Education Minister also argued that the scale of the current placement challenge cannot be resolved simply through the intervention of one minister, pointing to the gap between the number of students seeking placement and the vacancies available.
He disclosed that about 313,000 students are seeking placement, while only 76,614 vacancies are available.
“When 313,000 students are looking to fill a vacancy of 76,614, tell me what magic any minister can do in this situation?” he asked.
The 2026 CSSPS exercise has generated concerns among parents and students, many of whom are facing difficulties securing placement in their preferred senior high schools.
In response to the challenges, the Education Ministry has directed heads of second-cycle institutions to adhere strictly to placements generated through the CSSPS and refrain from admitting students outside the system.
