The Ministry of Education has assured parents and students affected by challenges in the ongoing Senior High School (SHS) placement exercise that government is taking steps to resolve outstanding issues.
The Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Hashmin Mohammed, said there is sufficient space within the country’s second-cycle institutions to accommodate qualified students who are yet to secure placement.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, September 9, he said government was actively working to address the concerns surrounding the placement process.
“Government has a plan for it. Government is really taking steps to be able to address the situation,” he said.
Concerns Over Available Vacancies
The assurance comes amid concerns from education advocates that the availability of declared vacancies does not necessarily translate into sufficient effective capacity, particularly for students seeking boarding places.
Parents have also raised concerns about school choices, boarding arrangements, distance and changes to placements under the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
Mr Mohammed said the Ministry was aware of concerns from students who had not been placed in their preferred schools and was working to address the outstanding issues.
Over 859,000 Vacancies Declared
The Ministry maintains that more than 859,000 vacancies have been declared across second-cycle institutions, meaning no qualified student should be left without access to SHS.
However, concerns remain over whether available spaces match the preferences and requirements of students and their families, particularly given the strong demand for boarding facilities and Category A schools.
The Ministry is therefore urging parents and students to remain calm as efforts continue to resolve outstanding placement challenges and ensure that qualified students gain access to second-cycle education.
