Cancellation of computer placement system not prudent – Veep
The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has urged Ghanaians to refrain from advocating the cancellation of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) because of the difficulties with the selection of students.
He said the CSSPS might not be perfect but “we cannot throw away the baby with the bath water”.
Mr Mahama made the call at the 50th anniversary of the Sefwi-Wiawso Senior High School (SEWASS) at the school Saturday.
The school, which is the first secondary school to be established in the Western Region, has produced prominent Ghanaians, including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a High Court Judge, Mr Justice Edward Amoako Asante, who chaired the function, and a Special Advisor to the Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Seinti Baffoe-Bonney.
The Vice-President made reference to recent complaints about the selection and placement of students under the CSSPS by many parents and students with some calling for its abolition.
He said the people must “accept the challenge with cool head for us to have sufficient time to address the issue”.
Mr Mahama again stressed the need for schools to put more emphasis on the teaching of science and technology, since the development of the country depended on science and technology.
He, therefore, urged teachers to make the teaching and learning of science and technology more practical and interesting to encourage more students to study the subjects.
The Vice-President said education was critical in the production of human resource, hence the government had made it the cornerstone of its development agenda.
To that end, he said, the government was investing heavily in the development of school infrastructure and making enough effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 target year.
He indicated that 1,000 schools had been constructed and 1,600 were under construction under the programme to eliminate schools under trees, and indicated that additional 1,000 new schools would be constructed next year to rid the country of schools under trees.
He commended corporate bodies and old students for complementing the government’s efforts at improving infrastructure in schools.
In response to an appeal by the Headmaster of SEWASS, Mr K. Someah-Addae, and the School Prefect, Prince Gyamerah, Mr Mahama promised the school authorities that the government would continue with the construction of a three-storey girls’ dormitory and also fund the construction of a boys’ dormitory.
Source: Daily Graphic