The Ministry of Education has released the 2025 School Selection Guidelines, designed to assist parents, guardians, students, and teachers in making informed decisions during the school selection process. This move aims to ensure a smooth transition for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates into Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS), or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Key Highlights of the Guidelines
– School Selection Process: Candidates are required to select seven schools, comprising five main choices and two alternative options. Among the five main school choices, candidates must select at least three boarding schools and two day schools.
– Category Restrictions: Candidates are expected to select not more than one school from Category A and not more than two schools from Category B. However, candidates can select all five schools from Category C.
– TVET Programmes: Students interested in TVET education are required to select all five choices in TVET schools, following the same order of one from Category A, not more than two from Category B, or all five schools from Category C.
– Placement Method: The placement will be merit-based, taking into account the candidate’s aggregate score, number of grade 1s, raw scores, core subject performance, and availability of space in the chosen schools and programs.
Role of Parents and Guardians
The Ministry emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in the school selection process. Parents and guardians are encouraged to seek guidance from their child’s junior high school authorities when filling out the school selection forms. The forms must be signed by a parent or guardian and submitted to the candidate’s headteacher .
Importance of Informed Decision-Making
The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, highlighted the significance of inclusive and informed decision-making in the school selection process. He emphasized that this stage is crucial in shaping the future of students, and every child, regardless of their background, should make a well-informed school choice that aligns with their talents and ambitions .
Timeline
The school selection process began on May 27, 2025, and will run until June 6, 2025. The BECE examination is scheduled to commence on June 11, 2025.
The release of the 2025 School Selection Guidelines is a significant step towards ensuring a smooth transition for BECE candidates into their preferred Senior High Schools or TVET institutions. By following these guidelines, parents, guardians, and students can make informed decisions that align with their academic strengths, career aspirations, and catchment area considerations.
