“Who should go to A and who should go to C?” -Angel Carbonu questions categorisation of SHSs

Former National Association of Graduate Teachers president Angel Carbonu has questioned Ghana's categorisation of Senior High Schools (SHSs) and their role in attracting students. Speaking on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Carbonu challenged why some SHSs are labelled as Category A while others struggle to draw applicants. The preference for just a few schools contributes to the ongoing issues with the SHS placement process.

Around 70 schools attract the interest of 60% of graduating Junior High School students, raising questions about why so many students are drawn to a limited number of institutions. Mr. Carbonu pointed out that Ghana possesses more than sufficient SHSs, yet the challenge lies in parents' reluctance to place their children in certain schools, often due to a lack of boarding facilities, poor environments, and inadequate resources.

He also noted that some schools only advertise after placement, attempting to attract students. Instead of maintaining the current categorisation, Carbonu advocated for upgrading all schools to a uniform standard, ensuring every child has access to a quality learning environment. He further questioned why efforts to improve facilities have not been consistent across all schools, and why Ghana continues to discuss Category A rather than moving towards a standard benchmark for all institutions.

The former educator proposed the need for a deliberate national effort to upgrade schools, identifying clear standards for facilities and environments, and setting measurable annual targets. Carbonu believes the solution to the SHS placement challenges does not lie in merely increasing the number of schools, but in ensuring that the quality, facilities, and learning environment of existing schools are attractive enough to parents and students.