SHS placement crisis: parents spend hours in queues as frustration grows

The 2026 Senior High School placement exercise has become a major concern for parents and students across Ghana, with some parents reportedly spending hours at resolution centres trying to resolve placement problems. Recent reports show parents and candidates thronging the GNAT Hall in Accra, with some frustrated parents saying they arrived as early as 3 a.m. but were still waiting in queues. The situation comes as thousands of students prepare to begin their SHS journey. Candidates who have successfully secured placements are expected to report to their respective schools on September 18, 2026. For students who have not obtained their preferred schools or are facing problems with their placement details, the uncertainty has created anxiety for both them and their parents. Beyond the long queues, the situation has reopened the debate about Ghana's Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). While some education stakeholders argue that the system itself does not necessarily need a complete overhaul, others believe policies surrounding placement should be reviewed to reduce the difficulties faced by parents and candidates. For many young people, SHS admission is supposed to be the exciting beginning of a new chapter. But for some 2026 candidates, that chapter has started with queues, uncertainty and frustration. The big question now is whether future placement exercises can become smoother so that students can concentrate on preparing for school rather than worrying about where they will be placed.