as SHS Placement Scandal Deepens
By TNR Swat
The integrity of Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is under renewed scrutiny following revelations of widespread extortion at Saviour Senior High School in the Eastern Region. Investigations by The New Republic suggest that the school, established in 2013 at Osiem, has become a focal point in a growing network of illicit placement deals, with staff allegedly demanding payments ranging from ₵600 to ₵1,000 to guarantee admission.
The name of a staff member, Madam Abigail, surfaced repeatedly during the inquiry. When contacted, she responded with hostility and threats, refusing to engage with investigators.
The following day, Headmistress Dr Hawa Adusei acknowledged awareness of the allegations but declined to confirm or deny them. She offered what she termed an “amicable resolution” and invited affected parents to approach her directly for redress.
Multiple parents interviewed described the practice as routine, with some likening it to an “annual ritual” that persists with tacit approval from higher authorities. A confidential source suggested that the scheme may extend beyond Saviour SHS, implicating other schools in the region and possibly involving actors within the Free SHS Secretariat. Eastern Regional Coordinator Charles Nyame denied any such involvement, stating categorically that “no head of a senior high school in this region can do that.” However, parents and insiders maintain that the practice is widespread and well-known.
The investigation has not been without resistance. Members of The New Republic’s investigative team have received threats from individuals linked to the scheme, including one Kumi, who identified himself as the school’s PTA Chairman and warned of retaliation.
The scandal has triggered political and institutional responses. MP for Akrofuom, Hon. Joseph Azumah, disclosed on Asempa FM that a parent had paid ₵30,000 to secure placement for her child in a top-tier school. He called for stronger oversight, including the inclusion of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly representatives on school boards to enhance transparency.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, speaking at the 32nd Annual Conference of Directors of Education in Sunyani, condemned the practice and warned of severe sanctions against headteachers found culpable. He reiterated that all students placed through CSSPS must be admitted without discrimination or unauthorized charges.
The CSSPS was introduced to eliminate human interference and ensure merit-based admissions. However, the current revelations suggest that loopholes in the system have enabled a shadow economy of placement manipulation. The Ministry of Education now faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence and enforce accountability across the sector.
Whether the Ministry’s response will lead to prosecutions or systemic reform remains to be seen. But the scandal has already cast a long shadow over one of Ghana’s most celebrated educational innovations.