SHS reopening date to restore pre-COVID-19 academic calendar- Dr Adutwum
The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has provided clarification on the decision to re-open Senior High Schools (SHS) for first-year students on Monday, December 4, 2023.
Speaking before Parliament, the Minister explained that the move aimed to restore the academic calendar to its pre-COVID state, with approximately 81% of students already placed in SHS.
Dr. Osei Adutwum highlighted that the majority of first-year students had been automatically placed in SHS based on their choices, making the reopening on December 4 a viable option.
He further outlined the harmonized prospectus as a critical factor in commencing the 2023/2024 academic year.
In response to concerns raised by Parliament, parents, and other stakeholders urging an extension of the reporting date, the Minister emphasized that the National Harmonized Prospectus was developed to provide ample time for parents to purchase required items and prepare their wards for school.
The Education Minister’s explanation comes amidst calls for a reconsideration of the reopening date, with stakeholders proposing a more convenient time in the first week of January 2024.
However, the Ghana Education Service (GES) maintained the December 4 date, emphasizing the expectation that schools would begin registration and orientation on the specified day.
The decision has sparked debates in Parliament, with Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South, expressing concerns about the Ministry’s actions affecting the oversight responsibilities of the Parliament.
Despite the debates, the GES has reaffirmed the December 4 reopening date, citing the academic calendar, which includes a Christmas break on December 21 and a resumption on January 3, 2024.
Dr. Osei Adutwum countered claims that teaching and non-teaching staff lacked ample time to rest, stating that since the introduction of the double-track calendar in 2017, more staff had been employed, and teachers had adequate rest during non-session periods.
The reopening of SHS for first-year students continues to be a topic of discussion and debate among stakeholders, emphasizing the complexities of managing academic schedules amid evolving circumstances.
