In a groundbreaking move to simplify and standardize the process for parents and students, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has introduced the ‘National Prospectus’ for senior high and technical schools.
This innovative initiative aims to eliminate ambiguity surrounding the requirements for incoming first-year students, offering a clear and uniform guideline for all schools across the country.
Under the new system, schools are mandated to adhere to the national prospectus, eliminating the practice of imposing additional items beyond the official requirements.
This significant change ensures that parents no longer need to wait for the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) rollout before commencing their back-to-school shopping.
The ‘National Prospectus‘ is thoughtfully categorized into basic needs and cleaning materials, streamlining the shopping experience for parents. Here is a breakdown of the two categories:
Category ‘A’ (Basic Needs)
- Hard body suitcase or trunk
- Chop box or hard plastic container
- Toiletries
- Beddings
- A pair of school-specific footwear
- Underwear
- Cutlery
- Educational materials such as a mathematical set and scientific calculator, among others.
Category ‘B’ (Cleaning Materials)
- Detergents
- Sanitary and cleaning materials such as liquid soap, hand gloves, washing powder, bleach
- Cleaning tools like brooms, standing mop, mop bucket, and a scrubbing brush.
Early Preparation for Parents
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic, Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the GES, emphasized that the introduction of the ‘National Prospectus’ is aimed at helping parents make early preparations.
By providing a clear list of required items well in advance of the CSSPS rollout, parents can start purchasing the necessary items ahead of time.
Dr. Nkansah expressed his delight in facilitating a smoother process for parents, stating, “for me, that is the joy.” He emphasized that the prospectus was carefully designed to eliminate unnecessary items, ensuring that schools do not use them as barriers to timely student enrollment.
Reasonable Prospectus
Dr. Nkansah urged schools not to admit students based on their ability to procure all the items but encouraged parents to follow the outlined prospectus, assuring them that the list has been reduced to the barest minimum.
He emphasized that the cost of the items is within reach for all parents, putting an end to the era where exorbitant spending on prospectuses was the norm.
Reflecting on past practices, Dr. Nkansah noted that parents previously had to wait for placement before obtaining the prospectus. Some schools were rigid, demanding the purchase of every listed item before admitting students. He appealed to heads of senior high schools to exercise consideration in this regard.
Collaborative Input
Highlighting the collaborative effort behind the ‘National Prospectus,’ Dr. Nkansah revealed that a committee comprising representatives from the GES, Free SHS Secretariat, TVET Service, and the Conference of Heads of Government Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) worked together to formulate the prospectus.
Recognizing the crucial role of CHASS in the operation of second-cycle schools, he emphasized the significance of their input.
As a final piece of advice, Dr. Nkansah recommended that students ensure all personal items are embossed or embroidered with their names to prevent theft. The introduction of the ‘National Prospectus’ marks a significant step toward a more organized, transparent, and parent-friendly process for school admissions in Ghana.
Download the PDF of the Official GES harmonised prospectus for SHS/SHTS freshers on this page.
Source: GESHub.org
