Date for reopening of schools: Education Minister expected to appear before Parliament today over concerns
Date for reopening of schools: Education Minister expected to appear before Parliament today over concerns
The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, is expected to appear before Parliament today Monday, December 4 over the date for the reopening of schools.
Parliament had told him to reschedule the date from Monday December 4 to the first week of January. In the view of the House, this will allow parents, students, and teachers enough time to prepare.
Despite concerns about the short period students have to prepare before reporting to school, the Ministry of Education on Thursday, November 30, insisted that the reopening date for fresh Senior High School students remained December 4, 2023 as contained in the 2023/2024 academic calendar released by the GES.
The GES announced to the general public that the reopening date was December 4 as indicated on the placement form despite the concerns raised about the date.
The GES said it is the expectation of Management that schools begin registration and orientation of students from December 4.
It added that per the academic calendar, there would be a Christmas break on the 21st of December, 2023 and resume on the 3rd of January, 2024 to continue academic work till 5th March, 2024.
“Management urges all students yet to do their Self-placement to do so as quickly as practicable.
“We appreciate all stakeholders for collaborating and supporting the CSSPS process to this point. We continue to ask for your patience to ensure the academic calendar for SHS is implemented without hitches to get back to the pre-COVID academic calendar,” a statement said.
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.
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