BREAKING NEWS: New 2025 BECE School Selection Rules Unveiled! Your Guide to Free SHS Placement!

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has just dropped a game-changer for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) school selection process! These new guidelines are designed to streamline the current CSSPS system, tackle bottlenecks, and significantly boost your chances of securing a coveted spot in a Free SHS.

According to details shared by the Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. John Ntim Fordjour (or insert correct name if different from Apaak in this context), this post aims to bring absolute clarity to all your burning questions about the new system.

Madam Okity-Duah, the Coordinator of the Free SHS (FSHS) Secretariat, strongly emphasizes the crucial role of parents. No selection form should be submitted without a parent’s signature – a clear sign of the importance of joint decision-making!

Key Questions Answered: Your Path to Free SHS in 2025!

1. When Does the 2025 BECE School Selection Process Start and End?

Get ready! The 2025 BECE school selection officially began on Tuesday, May 27th, and will run until Friday, June 6th, 2025. Yes, you read that right – candidates will now select their schools before sitting for the examination, which starts on June 11th, 2025. This marks a significant shift from previous years!

2. School Selection: Before or After BECE Exams?

Historically, school selection happened after the BECE exams since 2017. However, with the 2025 reforms, the process has been reversed. The school selection window will now close before the BECE even begins on June 11th, 2025. Be prepared and act fast!

3. How Many Schools Will Candidates Select in Total?

In a strategic move to optimize placements, candidates, with the essential help of parents and school authorities, will select a total of 7 schools. This is a reduction from the 11 schools candidates could choose in 2024, a change informed by the government’s belief that “choosing so many schools does not guarantee a placement but efficient systems and redistribution of candidates into available schools.” Under this revised system, candidates must select five main choices and two alternatives in order of preference.

4. Day vs. Boarding: What’s the Mix for Your First 5 Choices?

Of your five main choices, a minimum of three must be boarding schools, with the remaining two designated for day schools. Plan your selections carefully to meet this requirement!

READ: 2025 BECE Social Studies Topics and Sample Questions

5. Decoding the Strict Guidelines for School Categories (A, B, C):

The new guidelines introduce crucial limitations to ensure fair and balanced placements:

• Candidates cannot select more than one Category A school.
• You are limited to selecting no more than two schools from Category B.
• While Category C schools are an option, you cannot select all five main choices from this category.

READ: New 2025 BECE Mock Questions: Download and Solve

Special Considerations:

• Pure TVET Programmes: If you’re passionate about vocational training, you must select five institutions across Categories A, B, and C, with options for both boarding and day.
• STEM Aspirants: For those dreaming of careers in engineering, medicine, or space science, STEM-based schools across all categories are highly encouraged!

To help candidates, parents, and school authorities navigate these vital changes, teams from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service and the FSHS Secretariat will be conducting nationwide sensitization exercises. Stay tuned for details on these crucial informative sessions!