No SHS space shortage – GES says 800,000 places available for just over 600,000 students

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has confirmed that there is no shortage of spaces in senior high schools, despite concerns raised by parents and guardians over the 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). According to Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations at the GES, the country has approximately 800,000 available spaces for around 600,000 students seeking admission to senior high schools.

He emphasized that the apparent challenges faced by some students and parents are not due to a lack of space in schools.

Fenyi attributed the improvement in the placement process to a significant enhancement in automatic placements this year, with about 527,000 students being automatically placed, compared to 483,000 in 2025 and 447,000 in 2024. He also noted a sharp decline in the number of students relying on self-placement, which dropped from 107,000 in 2025 to 53,000 as of September 10, 2025.

Fenyi emphasized that 95% of students have secured placement through a combination of automatic and self-placement channels, stating that the remaining challenges are being addressed through 17 resolution centres established nationwide. These centres are meant to address human errors, technical issues, shortfalls, and isolated cases.

While some centres in Accra and the Ashanti Region have seen a high volume of parents and students seeking assistance, Fenyi cautioned against interpreting this as a reflection of the entire country, stating that "Accra is not Ghana." He assured stakeholders that 15 out of the 17 resolution centres are operating smoothly, and their efficiency should not be seen as evidence of a national placement crisis.