SHS placement is free, don’t pay a dime to anyone – Dr. Apaak reiterates

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has dismissed claims that school placement into Aburi Girls’ Senior High School or any other institution requires payment, insisting the process is completely free.

His comments follow post alleging that securing admission into Aburi Girls costs GH¢15,000. According to Dr. Apaak, the allegation is not only false but also intended to undermine confidence in the Computerized School Placement System.

“This claim, unfortunately, appears to feed into a conspiratorial narrative to create the false impression that the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) Computerized School Placement System is for sale,” Dr. Apaak said in a statement on Thursday.

He explained that the ministry had already taken steps to probe the matter.

“The Ministry views this allegation with the utmost seriousness and has initiated an immediate investigation into the matter. However, attempts to reach the author of the original post have proven unsuccessful, as her account messenger was deactivated shortly after the publication,” he disclosed.

Dr. Apaak further noted that other unidentified individuals had joined in spreading similar claims online. He said the ministry is working with security agencies to identify and investigate those responsible.

“The Ministry is collaborating closely with National Security, the Cyber Security Authority, and other agencies to track down these people to assist in investigating this matter,” he stated.

Reassuring parents and students, Dr. Apaak categorically emphasized that no one is required to pay money for placement.

“The BECE Computerized School Placement System is entirely free of charge. At no point is payment required to access this service,” he stressed.

The Deputy Minister appealed to the public to help in exposing wrongdoers.

“We call on members of the public to provide any information or evidence of persons, whether Ministry officials or third parties, who demand money for placements. The Ministry assures swift and decisive action against any individual found culpable,” he added.

He also encouraged citizens to report incidents through hotlines provided by the ministry—054 154 8223 for calls and 024 490 8957 for WhatsApp.

The school placement resolution centres, which opened nationwide on Friday, September 18, 2025, have received thousands of complaints from parents and guardians.

The centres, set up in major regional capitals, are designed to handle such complaints, verify placement details, and provide quick redress regarding placement in the Senior High Schools and Technical Institutes.