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Contrary to speculations that the criteria used last year for the placement of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in senior high schools (SHSs) and technical institutes (TIs) would be reviewed, the formula has not changed, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated. This is because last year�s placement exercise was very smooth. The GES, therefore, does not see the need to review the process. The Head of the Public Relations Unit of the GES, Mr Charles Parker-Allotey, who made this known to the Junior Graphic after a stakeholders meeting to review the exercise, disclosed that it was unanimously agreed upon that there should be no changes in the process. �This is because last year�s exercise was okay,� he said and added that �we are not reviewing it until after two years perhaps.� Over the years, the criteria have been reviewed based on suggestions from stakeholders and the challenges that were encountered during the previous year�s exercise. According to the GES, the placement for this year would be done based on the raw scores of six subjects; English, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies, as well as the two other best subjects of candidates. In addition to the raw marks, candidates are to score not more than grade five in the four core subjects and not more than grade six in the other two subjects. This year�s placement criteria, made available by the Computerised School Selection and Placement (CSSPS) Secretariat to the Junior Graphic, indicate that placement would be done on merit as always. The guidelines on the placement exercise explain that in the event of candidates having a tie or the same raw score, their performance in the core subjects would be used for placement. On the 30 per cent quota policy, the GES said choosing this was optional and reserved for candidates who wished to take advantage of the allocation. �Qualification is based on the minimum pass mark. To qualify for selection, a candidate must have attended a junior high school within the catchment area of the SHS one had chosen,� it said. Under the policy, candidates can choose schools within a 10 mile or 16 kilometres radius from where they attended JHS and candidates have the opportunity of choosing four schools from their catchment area. Meanwhile candidates who completed JHS three years ago but due to certain reasons were unable to continue to SHS immediately qualify for placement this year. This is after they have applied to be placed alongside candidates who completed this year. Candidates who do not do well during this year�s BECE have the opportunity to resit in February next year.