Parliament has issued a call to the Minister of Education, Mr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to review the reopening date of first-year Senior High School (SHS) students scheduled for December 4, 2023.
The directive from the Ghana Education Service (GES) prompted concerns about the short notice and inconvenience to students, parents, and school staff.
A statement from the Director of the Media Relations Department of the Parliamentary Service shared with the Ghana News Agency, conveyed Parliament's suggestion to consider the first week of January 2024 as a more suitable and convenient time for the commencement of academic activities.
“In view of the urgency of this matter and various concerns raised by Members of Parliament and other stakeholders, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has directed the Minister of Education to appear before the House and brief Members on Monday, 4th December, at 1430 hours,” the statement affirmed.
The announcement reminded stakeholders that, on November 9, the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) released provisional results for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School and Private Candidates, 2023.
Following this, on November 28, the GES instructed Heads of Institutions to initiate registration and orientation of students from December 4.
The House encouraged students, parents, teachers, and non-teaching staff not to panic but to await further directives while engaging with the Minister for a mutually agreeable resolution.