Mansoman SHS headmaster raises concern over students changing placements despite available facilities

Rev. Nicholas Adu Berko, the headmaster of Mansoman Senior High School (SHS), has expressed concern over an increasing number of students changing their school placements, despite the institution having ample facilities. According to him, Mansoman SHS had over 600 students on its Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) portal, but the number has since dropped.

The headmaster noted that some students and their parents are seeking placements at other schools they perceive as more preferred. This trend could potentially leave some schools with significant vacancies, even though they possess the necessary facilities and teaching staff. The headmaster reported that he had received information indicating that many students were visiting the resolution centre to alter their school placements.

He observed evidence of these changes on his school's placement portal, with students who previously held high aggregate scores no longer appearing on the list. Mansoman SHS has the capacity to accommodate between 800 and 900 students, with ample classrooms, dormitory spaces, and beds available. However, the headmaster expressed disappointment that parents were still unwilling to send their children to the school, citing poor road conditions as a reason for seeking placements elsewhere.

He emphasized that equal educational opportunities should not depend on a school's location in Kumasi or other parts of the country. The headmaster also challenged the notion that schools situated outside major urban centers lack capable teachers. He pointed out that the teachers at Mansoman SHS possess the same academic and professional qualifications as those working in highly sought-after schools.

The headmaster insisted that Mansoman SHS has teachers who are equally skilled as those in renowned institutions like Prempeh College. He emphasized that attending a highly regarded school does not inherently make a student more intelligent or capable than a student from another institution. The headmaster called for an end to the ranking or categorization of senior high schools, which influences parents' preferences and leads to unequal opportunities for students.

He expressed a desire for a future where school rankings are no longer necessary, as children should be free to choose their preferred educational institutions without external pressures.