Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, has clarified the rationale behind the decision to reopen Senior High Schools (SHS) for first-year students on Monday, December 4, 2023.
The move aims to align the academic calendar with pre-COVID standards and accommodate the harmonized prospectus for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Dr. Adutwum addressed Parliament, emphasizing that over 81% of students had been automatically placed in SHS, justifying the December 4 reopening.
He highlighted the National Harmonized Prospectus as a crucial factor in streamlining preparations for the academic year.
“In addition, for the first time, the Ministry of Education with its relevant agencies and stakeholders developed a National Harmonized Prospectus for all SHS and TVET students,” stated Dr. Osei Adutwum.
Despite calls from Parliament, parents, and stakeholders to consider rescheduling the reopening to early January for better preparation, the Ghana Education Service (GES) maintained the December 4 date.
GES responded to Parliament's request, stating, “It is the expectation of Management that schools begin registration and orientation of students from Monday, December 4th.”
The response sparked concerns among members of Parliament, with Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, a National Democratic Congress MP, accusing the Ministry of Education of weakening Parliament's oversight responsibility. He emphasized the need for respect for parliamentary directives.
Dr. Osei Adutwum, refuting claims that teaching and non-teaching staff lacked ample rest time, noted that since the introduction of the double-track calendar in 2017, additional staff had been employed to manage the system effectively.
The decision to maintain the December 4 reopening date stands despite parliamentary requests, and schools are expected to resume academic activities on that date.
About 585,797 out of 598,839 candidates were placed in various Senior High Schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Schools (TVET) nationwide through the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
