The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for an independent investigation into allegations that some parents are being asked to pay money to secure Senior High School placements for their children.

The Bishops say the allegations raise serious questions about the integrity, transparency and fairness of Ghana’s computerised school placement system and should be investigated without delay.

In a statement on Monday, the Conference said the annual placement exercise continues to generate anxiety and disappointment among students and parents, alongside recurring allegations of unfair treatment.

The Bishops stressed that education is a fundamental right and said no child should be unfairly denied access to a suitable school or subjected to manipulation during the placement process.

BISHOPS RAISE CONCERNS OVER ALLEGED PAYMENTS

The Conference expressed particular concern over reports that some parents are allegedly being asked to make payments to obtain school placements.

The Bishops said that if placement is officially free, no public official, agent or intermediary should request or accept money in exchange for securing a place.

They called for an independent investigation into the allegations and said anyone found responsible should face appropriate disciplinary action and, where necessary, criminal prosecution.

However, the Conference cautioned that allegations should be properly investigated before conclusions are reached, warning against damaging the reputations of public officials who have acted honestly.

QUESTIONS OVER PROTOCOL ADMISSIONS

The Bishops also demanded greater transparency surrounding so called protocol admissions, particularly allegations that places at highly sought after schools may be reserved through discretionary arrangements.

They called for authorities to disclose the legal basis for such arrangements, how many places are involved, the criteria used to allocate them and who has authority to make the decisions.

According to the Conference, confidence in the placement system will be undermined if parents believe money, connections or influence can secure opportunities unavailable to children from less privileged backgrounds.

The computerised placement system was introduced to promote fairness, efficiency and equal access, but the Bishops said recurring difficulties have made an independent review necessary.

MORE THAN 527000 STUDENTS PLACED

According to figures cited by the Conference, 604567 candidates qualified for placement this year.

Of that number, 527932 had been placed by the time the results were released.

Beyond allegations of payments, the Bishops raised concerns about students being assigned to schools that may be unsuitable because of their sex, disability, personal circumstances or location.

They said students should not be assigned to day schools located so far from their homes that daily attendance becomes excessively expensive, difficult or unsafe.

Students with disabilities should also be placed in institutions capable of meeting their specific needs.

BISHOPS CALL FOR STRONGER APPEALS SYSTEM

The Conference wants Ghana’s placement system reviewed by independent technical experts, with the main findings of the examination made available to the public.

It also called for a stronger appeals process with clearly defined procedures and timelines for resolving complaints.

Cases involving disability, medical requirements, serious distance problems and administrative errors should receive priority, according to the Bishops.

The Conference also wants greater transparency surrounding the factors used to determine placement, including examination results, programme choices, available spaces and applicable rankings or cut off points.

It suggested that the government consider appointing an independent official capable of resolving complaints that cannot be settled through the normal placement system.

The Bishops concluded that while technology can help create a fairer education system, technology alone cannot replace human responsibility in determining whether placement decisions are educationally appropriate and fair to students.