Former Education Minister and Bosomtwe Member of Parliament, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has called for a review of the policies and algorithms guiding the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), rather than blaming the computerised platform for challenges in school placement.
Dr. Adutwum said concerns surrounding the placement process should prompt authorities to examine the rules and instructions programmed into the system.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, he explained that the computer itself does not make independent decisions. According to him, it simply follows the instructions provided by the software developers.
He argued that any attempt to improve the placement system must therefore begin with an assessment of the policies that determine how students are matched with senior high schools.
“It’s not a computer. It’s the algorithm. It’s what you tell the computer to do,” he said.
His comments followed discussions about whether the CSSPS should be completely overhauled or retained in its current form amid concerns from parents and other stakeholders over the school placement process.
Dr. Adutwum maintained that replacing the computerised system alone would not necessarily address the challenges.
He said the focus should instead be on reviewing the policies that shape the algorithm and determine the outcomes produced by the system.
He further noted that software developers work based on specific rules and instructions established for the placement process.
Any weaknesses in those rules, he suggested, could therefore affect the final placement results.
The former minister said the government and education authorities should consequently examine the policies and software development process to identify areas requiring improvement.
He stressed that a computer should not be blamed for decisions it has been programmed to produce.
