Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme is bracing for a potential crisis, with Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) warning that approximately 72,000 qualified students may miss out on placement due to limited school capacity. According to #EduWatch, the challenge is linked to a decline in transition efficiency, which fell from 92 percent in 2024 to 82 percent in 2025.
The organisation attributes the anticipated shortage of spaces to several factors, including reduced student intake following the gradual phase-out of the Double Track system, uneven distribution of vacancies across regions, and accessibility challenges affecting student placement choices. EduWatch is urging the government to speed up the expansion of boarding facilities, complete stalled educational infrastructure projects, and improve the efficiency of the placement process.
Executive Director of EduWatch, Kofi Asare, emphasizes the need for a major overhaul of Ghana’s secondary education system, advocating for the integration of practical, job-oriented skills into the SHS curriculum to address youth unemployment and reduce waste in public spending. “The level of waste in this country is alarming,” Asare remarked, suggesting that funds currently spent on post-secondary skills training could be better utilised by strengthening SHS education.
The government has allocated significant resources to support the Free SHS programme, including GH¢4.2 billion from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in the 2026 budget. However, EduWatch warns that over-reliance on GETFund for recurrent expenses may undermine funding for tertiary education infrastructure.
As the country prepares for the upcoming academic year, stakeholders are calling for urgent action to address the placement crisis and ensure that Ghana’s education system delivers quality and inclusive education for all.
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Source: Stella Sunu
