At the weekly government press conference held on August 5, 2025 at the Miatta Conference Center, Alimatu A. Massaquoi, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Council of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS), provided important updates on their preparations for the upcoming school interviews and the school placement process for the 2025 academic year focusing particularly on Grade A secondary schools.
Madam Massaquoi emphasized that school interview panels must strictly adhere to established guidelines, including representation from alumni associations, school board members and officials from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), saying no interviews will be conducted without schools having received the updated official price list from the ministry. “Two weeks ago, CPSS executives met with two ministry directors to finalize this year’s price list which is currently awaiting approval from the Education Minister before being forwarded to the Ministry of Trade for review. Upon approval, the price list will be widely disseminated and publicly posted in schools to ensure transparency and prevent exploitation of parents,” she said.
Madam Massaquoi also highlighted the intense competition for places, especially in Grade A schools where admission quotas are strictly enforced. She explained that pupils scoring below the established cut-off are unlikely to gain entry despite parental pleas, adding that the cut-off date for exam results is August 12, with interviews scheduled to begin on August 18. She acknowledged the challenge this creates as schools manage high demand amid limited spaces but still urged parents and pupils to prepare adequately.
In her response to questions about pupils who did not take last year’s exams she clarified that the ministry plans to hold accountable the heads of schools involved in these irregularities. “The main issue arises when IT teachers fail to properly upload pupil data into the system. Sometimes the upload process shows an error, indicated by a red screen, yet no data appears especially for Continuous Assessment Score 2 (CAS 2),” she explained.
The CPSS PRO furthered that principals often blame their IT personnel for these problems which contribute to missing exam candidates in the records. She stated that to prevent recurrence, the ministry has offered support allowing schools to request ministry officials to assist or supervise data uploads during future exams, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of student records.
Through PRO Massaquoi, the Council of Principals has reaffirmed its dedication to implementing fair and transparent admission processes, safeguarding parents from undue financial burdens and collaborating with the Ministry of Basic Education to resolve operational challenges. They are committed to ensuring that all pupils gain admission to secondary schools. As thousands of candidates prepare for interviews starting August 18, the CPSS has urged parents and guardians to be vigilant ensuring all charges align with the official price list to protect their interests.
