I have space for about 800 students – Mansoman SHS headmaster raises concerns about placement changes

Rev. Nicholas Adu Berko, the headmaster of Mansoman Senior High School (SHS), has expressed concern over the increasing trend of students changing their school placements. The school initially had over 600 students on its Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) portal, but the number has been gradually decreasing as students and their parents seek more preferred alternatives.

Despite adequate facilities, including classrooms, dormitories, beds, and other necessary resources for accommodating between 800 to 900 students, Mansoman SHS is struggling to attract enough applicants. The headmaster noted that several students are visiting the resolution center to change their school preferences. He observed a decrease in the number of students on the placement portal, with some with high aggregates, like 10, no longer being listed.

The headmaster emphasized that the school has ample space to accommodate the desired student population, citing the availability of classrooms, dormitory spaces, and beds. However, he expressed disappointment in parents who are reluctant to enroll their children at Mansoman SHS, citing poor road conditions as one of the primary reasons for seeking placements elsewhere.

He urged the country to provide equal educational opportunities to all children, regardless of their location, challenging the notion that schools outside major urban centers lack qualified teachers.

Furthermore, the headmaster argued that Mansoman SHS has teachers of equal capability to those in prestigious schools like Prempeh College, given their shared academic backgrounds. He questioned the continued preference for highly regarded schools over others, such as B and C schools, which are often neglected. The headmaster also urged an end to the practice of categorizing schools, suggesting that it influences parents' decisions and prevents them from considering all options.