Speaker directs Education Minister to appear before Parliament on Monday over date for academic works for SHS students

Following concerns raised by Members of Parliament over the date for the start of academic works at the senior high schools,  the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed the Minister of Education Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum to appear before the House on Monday December 4 to brief the lawmakers.

Parliament told Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum to reschedule the date for the start of academic works at the senior high schools to January.

In the view of the House, this will allow parents, students, teachers enough time to prepare.

Despite concerns about the short period students have to prepare in reporting to school,  the Ministry of Education on Thursday, November 30, insisted that the reopening date for fresh Senior High School students remains December 4, 2023 as contained in the 2023/2024 academic calendar released by the Ghana Education Service.

A statement by the Parliamentary Service noted that “due to the short notice with its attendant inconvenience to students, parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, the House proposes for the consideration of the Hon. Minister of Education the first week of January 2024 as a more convenient and appropriate time for parents, students and teachers to adequately prepare for academic work.”

The Parliamentary Service in the statement dated Friday, December 1, added “In view of the urgency of this matter and various concerns raised by Members of Parliament and other stakeholders, the Rt. Hon Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has directed the Minister of Education to appear before the House and brief Members on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 12:30 pm.

Attached is the full statement by the Parliamentary Service