SHS PLACEMENT: GHANA NEEDS SOLUTIONS, NOT NOISE AND BLAME – William Boadi, EAI
The ongoing challenges surrounding the Senior High School (SHS) placement process have understandably generated public concern, but Ghana needs solutions rather than endless blame and political noise. There is nothing wrong with criticising the system or proposing alternatives, but those with genuine solutions should engage the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) directly. Members of Parliament, former Ministers, education experts and other stakeholders have the platforms and institutional access to present practical proposals instead of merely appearing in the media to blame the government. The SHS placement system is complex, involving school capacity, programme choices, infrastructure, geographical considerations and the preferences of thousands of learners. Such a system cannot be fixed through radio arguments, press conferences or social media accusations alone. If you have a solution, put it on the table for serious consideration.
It is also important to recognise that the Ghanaian learner of today knows a lot more than we sometimes assume. Learners have access to social media, television, radio and information from around the world, and they are watching how adults respond to national challenges. We should therefore be careful not to turn every educational difficulty into an opportunity for political blame. Instead, we should teach our young people that when a problem emerges, responsible citizens identify the problem, examine the evidence, propose solutions and engage the appropriate institutions. If an MP has a better placement model, let it be presented to the Minister. If a former Education Minister has useful experience, let it be brought forward constructively. If an education expert or civil society organisation has research, let the evidence reach policymakers. The learner should not become a political football.
Educate Africa Institute (EAI) has consistently contributed to the national conversation on education and SHS placement, including our proposal for a Proximity-Based SHS Placement System, which seeks to give greater consideration to geographical proximity when placing learners. We do not claim to have all the answers, but we believe that credible ideas must be subjected to technical assessment, stakeholder consultation and proper institutional processes. Ghana’s education challenges require collective responsibility—not only from government, but from Parliament, education managers, professionals, civil society, the media, parents and learners themselves. Let us therefore lower the political temperature and raise the quality of the conversation. We can criticise government where necessary, but criticism without constructive engagement will not solve the problem. The time for blame and noise is over; the time for responsible engagement, practical ideas and solutions is now.
WILLIAM BOADI
Educate Africa Institute (EAI)
Education & Social Justice | Research | Policy | Advocacy
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