We are prepared to absorb BECE candidates without SHS placement – CHOPSS

CHOPSS, the Conference of Heads of Private Second-Cycle Schools, has reassured over 54,985 students who did not secure a place in Senior High Schools (SHSs) through the 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). These candidates, who took the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), were not placed in public SHSs under the existing arrangements.

In a recent statement, CHOPSS encouraged these students and their families to remain optimistic, emphasizing that a lack of placement in a public Free SHS should not be seen as the end of their educational journey. The conference highlighted that private second-cycle schools in Ghana possess the capability and eagerness to accommodate these students, offering them a high-quality education to help them achieve their academic and career goals.

CHOPSS noted that private second-cycle schools have historically served as a crucial alternative for students who were unable to gain admission to their preferred public institutions. Prior to the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy in 2017, admission to public SHSs was primarily based on cut-off points, leaving many students without places when they fell below the required threshold.

These students would often turn to private second-cycle institutions for the necessary academic support, training, and guidance to enhance their performance and build the confidence and skills needed to compete effectively with their peers in public schools. CHOPSS emphasized that numerous students who started their second-cycle education in private schools proceeded to gain admission to tertiary institutions both within Ghana and abroad.

The conference further stated that many of these students are now actively contributing to the development of Ghana in various sectors, both public and private.