Goverment Launches E-Enrolment Platform For Form One Boarding Placements

The Government has officially opened the Electronic Ministry Application Platform (e-map) to facilitate the allocation of Form One boarding school places for 2025.

The initiative, which began on November 1 and will run until December 31, is aimed at ensuring a seamless and transparent placement process for learners across the country.

With approximately 400,000 Grade Seven pupils having sat for their final examinations this year, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has assured parents that there are sufficient boarding and day school places for all learners. The number of schools nationwide has increased to over 11,000, providing expanded options for both boarding and non-boarding placements.

However, the Director of Communication and Advocacy in the ministry, Mr. Taungana Ndoro, urged parents to exercise caution and decisiveness when using the platform. He highlighted that some parents risk missing out on placements by being overly selective about their choice of schools.

“Our clarion call is for parents to take up the school that offers them a vacancy because if they decline, there are no guarantees of boarding vacancies from their preferred schools. Boarding spaces are limited, and academic performance alone does not guarantee admission to high-demand schools,” said Mr. Ndoro.

The e-map system allows parents to select up to five boarding schools for their children. While the platform gives them the flexibility to decline offers, this practice often leaves many learners without placements as schools quickly fill up. Parents are also encouraged to consider their children’s academic capabilities when selecting schools, as competition for elite boarding schools can be overwhelming.

Mr. Ndoro revealed that some high-performing schools with a capacity of just 80 boarding vacancies receive over 10,000 applications annually. He called on parents to make realistic choices to improve their chances of securing a placement.

The e-map system, introduced in 2016, was designed to promote fairness and transparency in the enrolment process. It addresses previous challenges where some school heads conducted paid entrance tests for more learners than they could accommodate, creating an unfair advantage for those who could afford to pay.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also outlined plans to construct more sustainable boarding facilities in every province to meet the growing demand. Additionally, the Government has pledged to upgrade nearly 2,000 satellite schools into registered examination centers, improving access to quality education in rural and resettlement areas.

This development has been welcomed by education stakeholders, who say it will reduce the burden on learners traveling long distances to examination centers and enhance their academic performance.

Mr. Ndoro reiterated that no child would be left behind in the transition to Form One in 2025, assuring parents that there are adequate non-boarding vacancies for learners who do not secure boarding placements.

As the Grade Seven results are released in the coming weeks, the Ministry expects to see a clearer picture of the uptake of vacancies and has urged parents to act promptly to secure their children’s future.