Abstract:
The Computerized School Selection and Placement System introduced in Ghana is yet to
fully realize its usefulness as there are still elements of influence in the placement system
far from the raw scores. The increasing level of inefficiencies therefore requires an
investigation into stakeholders’ perception on the CSSPS and its ability to resolve the
challenges of the manual placement system. The study adopted a mixed research design
involving the administration of questionnaires to 386 students, 302 teachers and 77 parent
selected through multistage sampling procedure and, interviews conducted with head
teachers. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential
statistical tools. The results showed that stakeholders perceived the CSSPS as corrupt as
parents and school administrators sometimes use money to influence officers at
computerized secretariat in selecting and placing their wards to their choice of schools
and also the politicians used their political power to sometimes influence the admission
process. Stakeholders further perceived the system to have lapses regarding placing girls
into boy’s school and vice versa. The prospect include gaining admission to top schools,
increase in the student population and reduction human errors. Challenges of the system
are difficulty of getting preferred school and course as well as the failure of the system to
select students with talents in sport. Thus, the study recommends establishment of
verification and monitoring body, stiffer punishment for offenders of corrupt practices,
and upgrading of the rural schools to match the standard of urban school to enhance the
effectiveness of CSSPS to achieve its intended goals.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of Education Leadership, Faculty of
Education and Communication Sciences, submitted to the School of Graduate
Studies, University of Education, Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for award of the Master of Arts (Education Leadership) degree
