Address shortcomings of CSPS- Methodist Church of Ghana
The Methodist Church, Ghana, has called for a review of the Computerised Schools Selection and Placement Systems (CSSPS) in order to address the shortcomings of the system to meet the expectation of stakeholders.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Director of the Church, the Very Rev Henry Ampaw-Asiedu, indicated the need for transparency within the system.
“We are, therefore, calling for a proper examination and review of the system by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to instill sanity and ensure that candidates are selected and placed purely on merit.”
According to the statement, the Church acknowledged that the system, introduced seven years ago, had its weaknesses and these challenges needed to be addressed urgently, properly and pragmatically to improve the operation of the system which sought to ensure fairness in the placement of students in senior high schools.
The statement was issued by the Church after its General Purposes Council Meeting which, among other things, discussed developments concerning education in Ghana and the upcoming 2012 elections.
It said the Church was aware that in some instances, the number of students placed in some schools far exceeded the vacancies declared by heads of institutions, making it difficult for school administrators to determine who should be admitted.
The statement observed that rather than help the situation, the implementation of the 30 per cent quota policy on admission of local candidates had further worsened the situation.
On the duration of senior high school education, the statement noted: “We share in the view (of the Anamoah-Mensah Committee) that the major needs of schools are the provision of infrastructure and educational resources.
The schools need motivated and qualified teachers and adequate teaching and learning materials to enhance academic work. There are several schools in Ghana without such facilities. Government must open the debate on the matter and work with all stakeholders to define how long our children should be in senior high schools as part of our national agenda.”
The statement continued “Given the lack of infrastructure and the much needed academic facilities in the system, we wish to appeal to the government that we hold on to the four-year SHS programme until such a time that improved infrastructure and facilities make it possible to revert to the three years in keeping with the Anamoah-Mensah Commission's recommendation.” It added that education was critical to the nation's development so it must not be politicised.
