Ministry of Education sticks to December 4 resumption date for first-year SHS students despite concerns

The Ministry of Education has announced that first-year Senior High School (SHS) students, including those on both single and double-track systems, are expected to resume school on Monday, December 4, 2023.

This directive, outlined in the 2023/2024 academic calendar released by the Ghana Education Service (GES), has raised concerns due to its proximity to the release of school placements.

In response to the concerns about the short notice, the Ministry's spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, clarified that the academic calendar was made public several weeks ago. Kwarteng emphasized that this provided ample time for parents to make necessary preparations for the reopening.

“Resumption date for students within the SHS space remains Monday, December 4, 2023. The expectation is that students report on the first day. But let me also hasten to add that the first-year students who are unable to report on the first day will not automatically lose their slots,” Kwarteng stated.

He reassured that students could report on subsequent days or even the following week, as has been the practice.

In light of the concerns raised by the minority side, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called on the Ministry of Education to reconsider its decision. Bagbin highlighted the limited time for parents and students to prepare, urging the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to appear before Parliament on Monday to provide clarification.

“The house calls on and urges the Minister of Education to reconsider the directive by the Ministry of Education to students and authorities, including teaching and non-teaching staff, to resume academic work on Monday, December 4, 2023.”

“The house proposes for the consideration of the Ministry of Education the first week of January 2023 for the resumption of academic work in these schools. The Minister of Education is directed thereafter to report to brief the house on Monday, December 4.”

Bagbin appealed for calm among parents and students, assuring that efforts were underway to address the concerns. He urged all stakeholders to await further communication as the matter is deliberated upon.