The Ghana Education Service (GES) has maintained 4th December, 2023 as reporting date for Senior High School (SHS) 1 students despite proposals from Parliament to rescheduling to the first week of January.
Some wards and stakeholders had earlier raised concerns about inadequate time for preparation for the academic year.
In addressing the concerns, Parliament directed the GES to reconsider the date given for reopening, further suggesting the first week of January 2024 as a much more convenient option in light of the stakeholders’ complaints.
“Parliament has asked the Minister of Education, to reconsider the directive by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to students, teaching and non-teaching staff to begin academic work on Monday 4tj December, 2023. This has become necessary after the attention of the House was drawn to the directive by the GES for the commencement of academic work for the first year students on Monday, 40 December 2023.
“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 Minister of Education was subsequently directed to stand before Parliament on 4th December to adequately discuss the matter.
“In view of the urgency of this matter and various concemns raised by Members of Parliament and other stakcholders, the Rt. Hon Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has directed the Minister of Education to appear before the House and brief Members on Monday 4th December, 2023 at12:30 pm.”
Despite Parliament’s directibe, the GES released a statement on 2nd December to reaffirm it’s commitment to the original reopening date, stressing that schools were scheduled to start student registration and orientation on December 4, 2023.
“It is the expectation of management that schools begin registration and orientation of students from the 4th of December 2023.”
The GES encouraged students who were unable to complete their self-placement to do so as soon as possible, while also thanking stakeholders for their cooperation and assistance during the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) process.
“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.”
Below is the GES’ statement.
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Story by: Hussein Habibata Maltiti | univers.ug.edu.gh
