Addressing journalists on September 7, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, denied that the government is planning to cancel the Free SHS programme, describing such suggestions as unfair and misleading.
Dr. Apaak said the ongoing placement challenges should not be interpreted as an indication that government intends to discontinue the programme.
βIt is unfair for sections of the public to use the placement situation as evidence that government intends to cancel the Free SHS programme.β
He said the Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring that the 2026 placement exercise is conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent, credible and accessible to all qualified candidates.
βThe Ministry remains committed to ensuring that the 2026 placement exercise is fair, transparent, credible and accessible, whilst providing a pathway for all candidates of all categories.β
According to the latest placement figures, 604,567 candidates qualified to be placed into Senior High Schools and TVET institutions.
Out of this number, 527,932 candidates, representing 87.3 percent, have so far been successfully placed.
The figures show that 276,521 females and 251,411 males have been successfully placed.
In terms of school categories, 313,283 candidates selected Category A schools as their first choice, while 176,614 candidates selected Category B schools.
Dr. Apaak also explained that candidates whose results are currently unavailable will not be placed at this stage but will be given an opportunity to prepare and reconsider their school choices.
βThe 3,072 candidates whose results are not available will not be placed at this stage, but they will be given an opportunity to be prepared and focus on their choices.β
He also appealed to parents and guardians not to view Category A schools as the only institutions capable of providing quality education.
βI appeal to parents not to see Category A schools as the only good schools for them.β
Meanwhile, candidates who obtained a score of 9 in either English Language or Mathematics will also be allowed to access the self-placement system.
Dr. Apaak said candidates who remain without placement after the current process will have the opportunity to re-sit the subjects in which they failed.
He further urged candidates who have not yet secured placement to take advantage of the self-placement option as the exercise continues.
Government says the placement process is ongoing, with successfully placed candidates expected to report to their respective schools on September 18, 2026.
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