NPP demands school placements for 54,985 BECE candidates, options for 183,233 WASSCE graduates

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has demanded that the government provide education opportunities for 54,985 BECE candidates and 183,233 WASSCE graduates, who are currently stranded following the results. In a statement, NPP Chairman Kojo Oppong Nkrumah highlighted that the party is concerned about the placement process of BECE candidates who were initially told they did not qualify for Senior High School.

However, the government later announced that 53,887 can access self-placement online. NPP argues that a portal does not guarantee a placement, as preferred schools and programmes may be fully booked. The party criticized the government's self-placement arrangement, stating that families may be left with options such as schools far from their homes, unwanted programmes, and additional costs.

NPP questioned the government's handling of available capacity, citing 859,828 vacancies for BECE candidates. The party argued that the issue lies in the concentration of demand on limited schools; 313,283 candidates chose Category A schools with only 76,417 places available. NPP suggested expanding capacity in schools with available spaces by improving facilities and programmes.

The party also expressed concern over the WASSCE results, particularly in English Language and Core Mathematics, where 183,233 students did not obtain a credit in Core Mathematics. This could limit their access to degree programmes and training opportunities. The NPP urged the government to expand academic intervention programmes and urged the utilisation of existing TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) and apprenticeship programmes.

The party demanded five actions from the government, including placing all BECE candidates in schools and publishing final placement outcomes. Additionally, the NPP called for clarification of rules and passes marks used in placement processes, making use of private Free SHS schools, funding academic interventions, and publishing details of available TVET, apprenticeship, and job-training opportunities for WASSCE graduates.