Prospects and challenges of senior high school computerized school selection and placement system (cssps) in the Ghanaian education system

Abstract

The introduction of the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) was in line with the government’s long-term objective of universal basic education, through the expansion and increasing of access to senior high and tertiary education. However, since the implementation of the CSSPS, not much studies have been done on the prospects and challenges of the CSSPS in Ghana. Based on this research gap, the purpose of the study was to examine the prospects and challenges of the CSSPS in Ghana. The population of the study included students, teachers, parents, Head Masters and Municipal Education Directors particularly within the Greater Kumasi. A sample size of 50 participants were selected through purposive sampling. A qualitative study was thus conducted on prospects and challenges of the CSSPS in the Greater Kumasi of Ghana involving multiple stakeholders such students, teachers, parents, Head Masters and Municipal Education Directors. Data were collected using interview guides and were analysed by employing thematic analytical framework. The study revealed that participants’ perception for the implementation of the CSSPS were fast track placement of students, fair distribution of students, reduced tendencies for bribery and corruption, reduced pressure on parents (in terms of cost and time) and minimizing human errors. The study revealed that the prospects of the implementation of the Senior High School CSSPS were easy placement of qualified students, equal opportunities to all students and reduced cost of placement. The study found that the challenges of the implementation of the CSSPS were low probability of securing one's preferred schools, refusal to accept placement into some schools, under declaration of the carrying capacity in Schools, errors in placement of students, inadequate boarding infrastructure and rejection of some Students by the CSSPS. The study revealed that the strategies to address the challenges associated with the CSSPS were provision of infrastructure, avenue for reposting in rare cases, avenue to select a school as a day student and resit for students who could not get placement in any school. The identified prospects and challenges thus are imperative in informing stakeholders on actions and steps that must be taken to improve upon the efficiency of the CSSPS.Based on the findings, the study recommended for continuous Stakeholder Orientation on the CSSPS, improvement of the system to minimize errors, improved monitoring and supervision of CSSPS and expansion in infrastructure