“It Is Unacceptable; It Shouldn’t Have Happened” – Dr Adutwum Reacts to 54,985 BECE Candidates Without SHS Placement

Former Education Minister and Bosomtwe MP, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has described as “unacceptable and worrying” the sharp increase in the number of BECE candidates who failed to secure automatic placement into Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

According to Dr Adutwum, the number of candidates affected has increased significantly from about 13,000 in 2025 to 54,985 in 2026, raising concerns about the current placement criteria and its potential impact on students, particularly those from disadvantaged and rural communities.

Speaking in an interview, he questioned how the number could have risen so dramatically within just one year.

“The 54,000 issue is worrying and shouldn’t happen. It is unacceptable and cannot be excused,” he said.

Dr Adutwum further questioned the reasons behind the increase, asking why the figure had jumped from approximately 13,000 last year to more than 54,000 this year.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the 2026 CSSPS, with 54,985 candidates reportedly failing to secure placement during the initial exercise.

The Ministry of Education has explained that the figure includes candidates who did not meet the requirements for automatic placement, including those who obtained Grade 9 in English or Mathematics.

However, Dr Adutwum cautioned that the situation could disproportionately affect students in rural communities, where educational resources and learning opportunities may be more limited.

He called for the data to be carefully examined to determine whether the placement criteria are fairly serving students across different backgrounds.

The debate has also centred on the intense competition for highly subscribed Category A schools. The Education Ministry says 313,283 candidates selected Category A schools as their first choice, despite only 76,417 declared vacancies being available.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Heads of Private Second-Cycle Schools (CHOPSS) has indicated that its accredited member schools have the capacity to accommodate the 54,985 candidates who did not secure public SHS placement.

The controversy has renewed calls for a review of the placement system to ensure that students who face challenges in particular subjects are not unnecessarily denied access to second-cycle education.