The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued an important warning to parents, guardians and candidates who sat for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), urging them to remain alert as preparations begin for the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
Every year, the period leading up to school selection and placement creates excitement among thousands of students across Ghana. It is also a time when many parents are eager to secure the best possible senior high school choices for their children. Unfortunately, it is also a period when fraudsters become active, taking advantage of people’s anxiety by spreading false information and attempting to deceive unsuspecting families.
According to GES, parents and candidates should be extremely careful about fake announcements, unofficial messages and individuals who claim to have special access to the school placement process. The Service has stressed that all official information regarding school selection and placement will be communicated through recognised government channels, and the public should ignore messages that cannot be verified.
The warning follows the circulation of a fake notice on social media claiming that the 2026 school selection exercise had already begun on June 15, 2026. The notice quickly spread across WhatsApp groups and other online platforms, causing confusion among many parents and students.
GES has made it clear that the notice was false and was never issued by the Service.
Fake School Selection Notice Causes Confusion
The false announcement instructed BECE candidates to begin selecting five preferred senior high schools and submit their choices within a stated period.
It also provided an unofficial WhatsApp contact number, encouraging parents and candidates to seek assistance through that number.
According to GES, the notice did not originate from the Ghana Education Service or any authorised education institution.
Officials warned that such messages could be attempts by fraudsters to obtain personal information or trick families into making payments for services that do not exist.
The Service therefore advised parents not to rely on social media messages simply because they have been forwarded many times or shared by friends and relatives.
Instead, every announcement should first be verified through official government communication channels before any action is taken.
Why Fraudsters Target Parents During School Placement
School placement is one of the most important stages in the educational journey of every BECE candidate.
Many parents naturally want their children to gain admission into well-known senior high schools, and this desire sometimes makes families vulnerable to scammers.
Fraudsters understand that parents may feel anxious about deadlines, school choices and placement decisions.
They often take advantage of these emotions by creating convincing messages that appear genuine.
Some even copy official government logos, use similar language or pretend to represent education authorities.
Their goal is usually to collect money, steal personal information or both.
This is why GES continues to remind the public that patience and verification are the best ways to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
Fake School Selection Announcements
One of the most common tricks used by scammers involves creating fake school selection announcements.
These messages often claim that new school selection dates have been announced, deadlines have changed or candidates have been given special opportunities to submit fresh choices.
The information is usually shared widely through WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and other social media platforms.
Because many people receive the same message from different sources, some begin to believe it is authentic.
However, GES says parents should never assume that a widely shared message is genuine.
Every announcement should first be confirmed through official education authorities before candidates take any action.
Ignoring this simple step could expose families to unnecessary risks.
False Promises of Guaranteed School Placement
Another common scam involves people who claim they can guarantee admission into popular senior high schools.
Some individuals may pretend they have connections within the education system and promise to secure placement into prestigious schools in exchange for money.
They often target worried parents who fear their children may not receive placement into their preferred schools.
GES has repeatedly warned that nobody is authorised to sell school placements or collect money in exchange for admission.
The CSSPS placement process follows official procedures, and no private individual can legally guarantee placement by requesting payment.
Parents should therefore be suspicious of anyone who promises special access or asks for money to influence the placement outcome.
Fraudsters May Request Personal Information
Another dangerous tactic involves asking candidates and parents to provide confidential information.
Fraudsters sometimes request BECE index numbers, Ghana Card details, telephone numbers, examination results, Mobile Money information, passwords or verification codes.
In some cases, they claim the information is needed to process school selection or verify placement.
Sharing such details with unknown persons can expose families to identity theft, financial fraud or other forms of cybercrime.
Parents should remember that official education authorities will not request sensitive personal information through unofficial WhatsApp numbers, social media accounts or unknown websites.
Protecting personal information is one of the best ways to stay safe throughout the school placement process.
Where Parents Should Get Official Information
GES has advised parents and candidates to depend only on recognised communication channels for updates about school selection and placement.
Official announcements will always come from authorised government institutions responsible for managing education in Ghana.
Before believing any message, parents should confirm whether it has been published through official GES communication platforms or other recognised government education channels.
Families should also be cautious about relying solely on forwarded WhatsApp messages or information circulating on social media without independent verification.
Taking a few minutes to verify information can prevent unnecessary stress, financial loss and disappointment.
Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Believing a Placement Message
Whenever parents receive information about school selection or placement, it is important to pause and ask a few simple questions.
Was the announcement released by an official education authority?
Can the same information be found on recognised government platforms?
Do they message ask for money or confidential personal information?
Does it encourage communication through unofficial telephone numbers or WhatsApp contacts?
Does the message contain spelling mistakes, unusual instructions or create unnecessary urgency?
Many fraudulent messages attempt to pressure recipients into acting immediately before they have time to verify the information.
Parents should never allow fear or excitement to influence important decisions without confirming the facts first.
Information Candidates Should Never Share
Protecting personal information has become increasingly important as online scams continue to increase.
GES advises candidates and parents never to share sensitive information with strangers or unofficial organisations.
This includes login credentials for placement-related websites, Mobile Money PINs, bank account information, one-time passwords sent by financial institutions and copies of personal identification documents.
These details can be used by criminals to steal money, impersonate victims or commit other forms of fraud.
Parents should teach their children never to send confidential information to unknown people online, regardless of how convincing the request may appear.
Keeping personal information private is one of the simplest ways to prevent cybercrime.
How to Report Suspicious School Placement Scams
If parents or candidates receive suspicious messages about school selection or placement, GES encourages them to report the matter immediately.
This includes fake websites, fraudulent WhatsApp messages and individuals who claim they can influence school placement in exchange for payment.
Rather than communicating with unknown persons, parents should contact recognised education offices for clarification whenever they are uncertain.
Reporting suspicious activities also helps authorities identify emerging scams and protect other families from becoming victims.
The earlier fraudulent schemes are reported, the easier it becomes for relevant authorities to investigate and take appropriate action.
GES Will Announce Official School Selection Dates
The Ghana Education Service has assured the public that when the 2026 BECE school selection exercise officially begins, all relevant information will be communicated through authorised channels.
Parents and candidates therefore do not need to rush or respond to unofficial announcements circulating online.
Waiting for verified information ensures that candidates complete the school selection process correctly and safely.
The Service continues to encourage everyone to remain patient while preparations for the CSSPS process continue.
Stay Alert and Protect Yourself From Fraud
The period following the release of BECE results is always an exciting time for students and their families, but it is also a period that requires extra caution.
Fraudsters often take advantage of uncertainty by spreading false information, promising guaranteed placements or requesting confidential personal details.
By relying only on official GES announcements, verifying every message before taking action and refusing to share sensitive information with unknown persons, parents and candidates can significantly reduce their chances of becoming victims of scams.
A few extra minutes spent confirming information today can prevent financial loss, identity theft and unnecessary stress tomorrow.
As Ghana prepares for the 2026 CSSPS school selection exercise, staying informed through official sources remains the safest and smartest way to ensure a smooth placement process.
