Eduwatch calls for permanent removal of F9 barrier to SHS admission
The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Kofi Asare, has called on the government to permanently scrap the use of F9 grades as a barrier to admission into senior high school (SHS). According to him, every Ghanaian child who completes basic education should have the right to progress to secondary education regardless of their […]
Eduwatch, a Ghanaian education advocacy group, has urged the government to permanently eliminate the F9 grade barrier that prevents senior high school (SHS) admission. Executive Director Kofi Asare argues that every Ghanaian child who finishes basic education should automatically earn the right to pursue secondary education, regardless of their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
This sentiment arises as the government's 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) continues, and 55,000 candidates failed to secure placement, largely due to receiving F9 grades in either English Language or Mathematics. While acknowledging the government's recent decision to permit F9 graduates to enter SHS, Asare stresses that this accommodation should be officially integrated into the Free SHS framework to avoid future arbitrary alterations.
He suggests amending the Free Senior High School policy document to clearly state the qualifications for secondary education entry, thereby preventing politicians from arbitrarily deciding which students gain access. Asare contends that barring students from SHS because of poor BECE grades is unjust, especially considering the government's duty to ensure proper learning conditions.
He highlights that F9-graded students are predominantly from deprived regions like the northern parts of Ghana, Oti, and Western North, where factors such as teacher shortages, insufficient textbooks, and inadequate school facilities can impede academic performance. Asare insists that until the government supplies adequate resources nationwide, it would be unjust to penalize students for receiving F9 grades in Maths and deny them a chance to attend Free Senior High School.
He advocates for a system where no child is denied secondary education based on their basic-level academic performance, and he welcomes the current policy allowing F9 students to proceed to SHS, viewing it as progress toward universal access.
Written by urgent.news from Adom Online's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Government must scrap F9 barrier to SHS admission – Kofi Asare myjoyonline.com
