We have been asked severally as to why category D schools which are often day schools are important in the school selection. This question often arises becuase nearly all the schools in this category are day schools.
During school selections by BECE graduates, nearly all students and their parents prefer to choose and be placed in public boarding schools. This preference leads to the oversubscription of boarding schools, leaving many spaces in day schools across all categories. The challenge intensified with the introduction of the Free SHS program in 2017.
Introduction of Category D Schools
To address this issue, the Free SHS Secretariat, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Education introduced Category D schools as a compulsory choice during the school selection process.
Category D schools comprise all public schools from Category A, B, and C schools that enroll day students. During school selection, candidates are required to select one compulsory day school. This day school must be located close to the student’s residence to ensure easy commuting.
Selecting a Day School
When selecting a day school, it is important to choose one that is less than 15 kilometers from the candidate’s residence. This proximity ensures that the student can easily commute to school without difficulty.
Some parents, however, select day schools far from home with the hope that once the candidate is placed, they can get the school to convert the student from a day to a boarding student. According to the Ministry of Education’s directive, once a candidate is placed as a day student, they cannot opt for a boarding school. Government funding is only available for students officially placed as boarders.
Considerations for Day School Selection
Parents who choose day schools far from home or in their hometowns may need to arrange accommodation for the student, such as staying with a family member near the day school.
For parents who end up finding hostels near day schools for their wards, it’s important to consider that young children in hostel facilities without proper supervision may not have the best learning environment.
Final Tips for School Selection
When choosing day schools, consider the location and how easily your ward will be able to commute. Also, make sure to choose your first five school choices carefully to maximize the chances of your ward being placed in one of these schools.
Why category D schools are important in the school selection
Let us take a look at why category D schools are important in the school selection.
1. Promotes Access to Education for All Students
- Category D schools provide an option for students who may not have the resources or desire to attend boarding schools, ensuring that every student has access to secondary education regardless of their financial or geographical situation.
2. Reduces Pressure on Boarding Schools
- By offering a viable day school option, Category D schools help to reduce the oversubscription of boarding schools, balancing the distribution of students across different school types.
3. Encourages Localized Education
- These schools are often located near students’ homes, promoting community-based education where students can stay connected to their local environment and family support systems while pursuing their studies.
4. Cost-Effective for Families
- Attending a Category D school typically involves lower costs compared to boarding schools, as parents save on boarding fees and other related expenses. This makes education more affordable for many families.
Often, candidates who miss all their placements is caused by their decision to opt for boarding schools. Whiles their grades may qualify them for placement, the school they chose may not place them because the boarding clots avaibale may have been exhausted.
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From the above, it is clear that category D schools are important in the school selection. Parents must therefore encourage their wards to select day schools even from their 1st to 5th options becuase they are less competitive compared to the boarding school option.
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