Pre-teacher unions within the Ghana Education Service (GES) have expressed disapproval of the Senior High School reopening and reporting dates for students and staff for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The Ghana Education Service had earlier announced the reopening date for all schools in Ghana for the 2024/2025 academic calendar to be set on the 4th of December, 2023, a news which was not taken lightly by the teacher unions.
According to the Union, the specified reopening date is deemed challenging for both teachers and students to adhere to, as little time would be left for preparation ahead of the academic year.
In a statement issued by the Pre-tertiary Teacher Union on November 30, 2023, the unions raised objections to the date released by GES. There was elucidation that, there are challenges associated with the proposed date which could pose challenges for both students and teachers.
“Placement of first year students into Senior High Schools was done on the 28th of November 2023, and the process is still ongoing. The announced date for the reporting of first year students which is slated for 4th December 2023, appears not practicable due to the fact that, the placement and the reopening dates are too close. “
The statement also emphasized on the irregularities of the timelines in placement and reopening of form one students. Consequently, they lamented on how insufficient time has been given to students to prepare for school.
The union additionally highlighted that the scheduled vacation period will not afford both teaching and non-teaching staff sufficient time to rest for the upcoming semester.
“In addition, asking form one students to report on the 4th of December 2023, only for them to go home again on the 21st December 2023, for Christmas break will put an undue burden on students, staff and parents.
“The vacation which spans from the 21st of December 2023, to the 2nd of January 2024, is too limited a time to offer members of staff (both Teaching and non Teaching) any meaningful rest.”
The pre-teacher unions finally appealed to the management of the Ghana Education Service to reassess these circumstances and make adjustments to the dates.
“We hereby call on the Management of the GES, to reconsider all these situations and effect changes to the dates. Counting on you for your swift response.”
See the statement for full details.
