The 2025 School Placement exercise is set to experience a major shift as many BECE graduates are likely to get Placement into private SHSs through the self-placement module. This is likely the case if they miss all five of their school choices.
With the end of the double-track system in 99 Senior High Schools (SHSs) and limited public school capacity, thousands of candidates may have to use the self-placement module, which now includes several private SHSs under the Free SHS policy.
We project that at about 30,000 students will not be placed in the 99 double track now turned single track schools. That number coiuld include you as a student or your ward and may lead to the need to use the self placement module if you are not placed.
Based on the official figures released by the Ministry of Education for the 2024 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), 104,918 qualified Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates were eligible to use the Self-Placement module.
In 2024, the Total of BECE candidates who qualified for palcement were 553,155. When placement was released by the Ministry of Education, 447,698 (80.93%) were automatically placed while 104,918 (19.07%) candidates were not placed automatically. This number was to use the use the Self-Placement portal to select from schools with available vacancies.
Fastword in 2025, the number of public schools has not increased but out of the available ones, 99 will not double enrolment becuase they will become single track school. That means less spaces or enrolment into public secondary schools all things held constant. However, some 66 private schools are coming on board to offer Free SHS to day students.
Projections for 2025 SHS Placement (Based on 2024 and 2025 Data)
According to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), a total of 603,328 candidates registered for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Using this figure and the placement statistics from the 2024 exercise, we can project the likely outcomes for the 2025 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). These projections apply the percentages from the 2024 placement process to the 2025 candidate numbers to forecast the results for each category.
Total Registered Candidates in 2025: 603,328
1. Projected Qualified Candidates
In 2024, approximately 98.2% of candidates who sat for the exam qualified for placement. Applying this rate to the 2025 numbers:
Projected Figure who will qualify for placement will be approximately 592,468 candidates thus 98.2% of total registered candidates are expected to qualify for placement into Senior High Schools and TVET institutions.
2. Projected Automatically Placed Candidates
Of the candidates who qualified in 2024, 80.93% were automatically placed in one of their chosen schools. In 2025, BECEPrep projects approximately 479,503 candidates will be automatically palced.
3. Projected Self-Placement Candidates
The remaining percentage of qualified candidates in 2024 had to use the self-placement module to select a school from the available vacancies. We projected approximately 112,965 candidates will have to use the self placement module. Many of the candidates wull consider private schools ahead of Category C schools.
In percentage terms, about 19.07% of qualified candidates will likely not be matched with any of their initial five choices and will need to utilize the self-placement platform.
Why Many Students Will Miss Their First Five Choices
The cancellation of the double-track system means schools that previously admitted an additional 250 to 300 students per year will no longer have that capacity.
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Estimated backlog: 24,000 to 30,000 students.
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Limited space cannot be absorbed by other public SHSs.
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Self-placement becomes the fallback option for qualified students.
This shift highlights the critical role of private SHSs in absorbing excess enrollment. We project that many students who have the option of using the self-placement will go for private SHSs if added to the self-placement module.
Government’s Strategy: Private SHSs Under Free SHS Policy
2025 School Placement into private SHS will happen for students who chose such schools but for many they may have to consider them if they have to do self placement on the CSSPS portal
The government has introduced around 60 private Senior High Schools into the Free SHS system to:
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Decongest public schools.
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Offer competitive academic environments.
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Provide students with modern facilities that rival top Category A and B public schools.
From September 17, 2025, these private institutions will be available on the self-placement module, expanding options for candidates.
Self-Placement: What Parents and Students Must Know About Self Placement and Private SHSs
While students can select private SHSs during self-placement, there are key considerations:
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Boarding vs. Day Status: Students placed in private schools will be classified as day students under the Free SHS policy, even if the schools have hostel facilities.
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Additional Costs: Parents will have to cover hostel fees since the government does not recognize hostel accommodation under Free SHS.
This arrangement ensures free tuition but leaves boarding-related expenses to families.
Why Private SHSs Are a Strong Option
Private SHSs newly added to the Free SHS policy are expected to compete strongly for placement because:
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They have strong academic records, particularly in past WASSCE performances.
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Many boast superior infrastructure compared to public schools.
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They aim to prove their value to remain part of the Free SHS programme in future placements.
Over time, these schools may become the preferred choice for parents seeking both quality and proximity.
Long-Term Implications of the New Placement Model
The self-placement into private SHSs 2025 in ti self is not a bad thing. The integration of private SHSs into Free SHS and their availability on the self-placement portal could lead to:
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Increased competition between public and private schools for student enrollment.
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Improved learning outcomes as schools strive to maintain high academic standards.
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A more balanced education system where both public and private institutions contribute to absorbing annual student intakes.
The 2025 School Placement exercise represents a turning point in Ghana’s secondary education system. With thousands of students likely to miss their top five choices due to limited public school capacity, the self-placement module—now featuring high-performing private SHSs—offers a promising alternative.
Parents and students must prepare early, explore available options, and consider private SHSs as a pathway to quality education under the Free SHS programme.
READ: 2025 BECE School Choice Review ChatBox Not Working Again: A Guide for Parents
FAQs
1. Why will many students miss their first five school choices in 2025?
Because the double-track system has ended in 99 schools, reducing admission capacity by up to 30,000 students.
2. What is the self-placement module in Ghana’s school placement system?
It allows students who miss all five choices to select available schools with open slots, including private SHSs under Free SHS.
3. Do private SHSs under Free SHS offer boarding facilities?
No, since students are classified as day students under Free SHS for private schools. Parents must pay extra if they want hostel accommodation for their wards.
4. Are private SHSs better than public SHSs?
Many private SHSs under Free SHS have competitive facilities and strong academic performance, sometimes surpassing public schools.
5. When will self-placement for 2025 begin?
The self-placement module is expected to go live on September 17, 2025, after the official release of placement results.
Get ready for the 2025 School Placement into private SHSs as well as self placement into these schools from 17th September, 2025.
Why can I go to do the selfpleace
Kindly read the post very well and clarify your question.