The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has directed the National Catholic Secretariat to draw up a plan to implement a 20 per cent admission reservation for Catholic candidates in Catholic mission schools.
The Bishops say the decision is not a new proposal but one reached at the National Catholic Education Forum held in Koforidua in 2025.
According to the Conference, reserving a portion of admissions for Catholic students is necessary to ensure that mission schools retain a meaningful Catholic student population and can effectively carry out their religious and moral formation mandate.
The Bishops, however, want the arrangement to be implemented under strict accountability measures.
They have proposed that the reservation be administered transparently through the appropriate Boards of Governors and diocesan education offices, with annual audits to ensure compliance.
The Conference has also stressed that the arrangement must not involve the exchange of money.
As preparations begin for implementation, the Bishops are also renewing calls for the government and Churches to finalise and sign the long-standing agreement on the management of mission schools.
They say the agreement should clearly spell out the respective responsibilities of the government and mission authorities in areas including admissions, governance, appointment of head teachers, religious and moral formation, discipline, infrastructure and accountability.
According to the Bishops, such an arrangement would help preserve the distinct identity of mission schools while providing clarity on how they should be managed.
The Conference is also calling for increased investment in schools, teachers, laboratories and learning materials as part of efforts to improve the quality of education and ease the pressure on highly sought-after schools.
The Bishops believe greater investment across the education sector will help expand opportunities for students and reduce the intense competition for admission into a limited number of popular schools.
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