The Ghana Education Service, with the help of the Ghana Police Service and other security services, have moved in to avert what has for the past week been a chaotic scene at the Black Star Square. The Black Star Square was one of the ten solution centres set up by the GES to resolve the challenges of students and parents with the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

CSSPS authorities at the centre Monday were compelled to cease operations, after being overwhelmed by the number of people at the centre.

Having collaborated with relevant bodies including the security services, the GES have restructured operations at the centre to accommodate the situation.

DSP Sulemana Sulley, the Greater Accra Regional SWAT Commander, speaking to Ghanaweb at the centre this morning said, they have had to make changes to ensure the smooth running of activities at the centre.

“Yesterday the numbers become overwhelming and so we had to sit with officials of CSSPS and the GES to put in arrangements to ensure that the exercise goes on smoothly without any hitches. And so as part of the arrangements they have categorised the people, unlike yesterday they were just bunched up.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Free SHS Secretariat, Jose Bertha Gyan-Kwakye, who was also at the Black Star Square said, majority of issues the centre has had to deal with pertains to students who want their schools changed, even though the schools given them were a part of their choice of schools.

“About 90% of the issues that have come up are those that are seeking to change schools. We keep on explaining to the people because you gave us your five options out of the 721 schools that you have to choose from and when your results came, we matched your results and the competition that was in those schools. So if at the end of the day you were able to get one of the five choices you gave us, at least it’s been fair enough. You should be able to accept your placement and then proceed to your school and get enrolment”



The Director-General of GES, Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwa, who was at the centre to observe proceedings at the centre said, as usual of every system, there are challenges, adding that what is more important is authorities finding solutions to the issues that have come up as a result of the CSSPS.

“Every system has a challenge, as I am speaking to you today you could buy a car and then move it out of the garage, you could drive for less than a kilometre and the car can decide that it won’t move…, the good thing is that, once you realise you have a challenge, you are able to resolve the challenge and then move on.”
The Black Star Square has over the past week seen increasing numbers of students and guardians turn-up to get their issues with the placement addressed.