The General Secretary of the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), Gapson Kofi Raphael, says government’s latest education reforms particularly changes to the school selection process could address long-standing challenges, but insists authorities must “walk the talk” to deliver results before students return to school after the BECE.

Speaking on JoyNews on April 2, Mr Raphael said the measures announced by the Education Minister signal that the government is responsive but cautioned that implementation will be key to restoring confidence in the system.

“I think that it shows clearly that the government is a listening government. We only hope and pray that we walk the talk more beyond the rhetoric,” he said.

His comments follow a major policy shift announced on April 1, 2026, which changes the timing of the Senior High School (SHS) selection process under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). Under the new directive, candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will now select their preferred schools only after their results are released.

The reform replaces the long-standing system where students chose schools before sitting the exam often leading to mismatches between performance and placement, and generating anxiety among parents and candidates.

Mr Raphael welcomed the change, noting that giving students a window after results to validate their choices could significantly reduce “anxiety, tension, frustration, and the psychological war” associated with the placement process.

He added that the old system, which has been in place for decades, had outlived its usefulness.

“We all agree as a country that it is not solving the problems, instead compounding the situation and giving room for all forms of exploitation,” he said, describing the reform as “a step in the right direction.”

The PTA executive also highlighted government’s plans to expand access and improve quality, particularly in Category B and C schools, many of which are located in underserved and rural areas. He said upgrading infrastructure and elevating some schools to Category A status could help bridge inequalities in the education system.

However, he stressed that attention must also be paid to foundational education at the basic level, warning that poor preparation continues to affect outcomes.

“Inadequate preparation leads to poor performance. These students are coming from different geographical backgrounds within Ghana,” he noted.

Mr Raphael further urged government to ensure timelines are strictly adhered to, especially as final-year Junior High School students prepare to sit for the BECE in May.

“By the time they will be going back to school, we will not come back to the drawing board and be discussing that timelines were not met,” he cautioned.

Beyond immediate reforms, he called for patience, suggesting that within the next two to three years, stakeholders should begin to see tangible improvements in classroom outcomes and overall system performance.

The latest reforms come amid ongoing national discussions about the future of Ghana’s education system. While proposals have been floated in the past to replace the BECE or transition to a different secondary education model, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) maintains that the BECE remains the official placement examination for now.

In the meantime, government has also introduced the National Standard Assessment Test (NSAT) at Primary 2, 4, 6, and JHS 2 levels to track learning progress earlier part of broader efforts to improve quality and accountability in the sector.