Free SHS School Placement: Two arrested over bribery, manipulation

Two individuals have been picked up by the police for their alleged roles in a bribery and manipulation scheme connected to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) placement exercise.

The pair were said to have taken money from some parents who were desperate to secure preferred schools for their children.

The arrests were confirmed by the Deputy National Coordinator of the Free SHS Secretariat, Dr. Belinda Glover, who said the operation was part of an ongoing effort to clean up the school placement process. She explained that the police are pursuing leads to determine how far the scheme extends and whether more people are involved.

Dr. Glover stressed that the Secretariat would not tolerate acts that compromise the credibility of the placement system. “The Free SHS placement is designed to be transparent and fair. We will not allow a few individuals to damage public confidence through bribery and manipulation,” she said.

She added that both internal and external actors would face strict sanctions if found complicit.

The development has revived public concerns over persistent reports of favoritism and corruption in the placement of students into senior high schools. Some parents have long complained that officials and middlemen demand payments before helping them change or secure placements for their wards.

The Free SHS Secretariat, working closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Police Service, has urged parents and guardians to report any suspicious demands for money. Officials say such reports will be handled with confidentiality to protect whistleblowers and ensure accountability.

Authorities have since reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the placement process transparent and free from manipulation. They also cautioned that anyone caught exploiting students and parents for personal benefit would face the full rigours of the law.