Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, has reassured Parliament regarding the December 4 reopening date for first-year Senior High School (SHS) students, asserting that adequate time was provided for preparation.
Dr. Adutwum, in a briefing to Parliament, emphasized that the reopening date was communicated to the public over a month before the release of placement lists, affording parents ample time to get ready for their wards’ departure.
The Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin, last week expressed concerns about the reopening date. It advocated for a deferral to January, citing insufficient time for parents and challenging economic conditions.
The Minority supported the call, highlighting economic pressures on parents and concerns about flooded areas.
The Minister defended the reopening date, comparing it favourably to the previous academic year, where students had only five days’ notice.
Dr. Adutwum disclosed that initiatives were also implemented to ease the burden on parents and ensure a smooth reopening.
He revealed that 81% of students were automatically placed, with only 19% requiring self-placement.
Additionally, a harmonized prospectus was developed and published in mid-November to give parents sufficient preparation time.
According to Education Minister, since the implementation of the double-track calendar in 2018, there has been a significant increase in the recruitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff to address the congestion in the schools.
Responding to claims that teachers and staff of SHSs are working without break, he said, “It is inaccurate to claim that all teachers have never had any respite.
Minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson denied accusations of politicizing the issue, emphasizing the need for solutions to parental concerns. He highlighted the significant financial burden on parents due to the high cost of items on the prospectus.
He urged the Minister to extend the time for the public, particularly those whose children are going to their alma maters to be able to organize enough to ensure their wards get access to the schools of their choice.
Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu raised concerns about Parliament’s intervention in challenging the Ghana Education Service (GES) on the reopening date.
He pointed out that the House had passed Act 506, which entrusted the GES with the responsibility of setting the dates for reopening and vacations.
He questioned whether Parliament should challenge the GES when it issues a circular in the discharge of these responsibilities.
He suggested that Parliament should establish a system to engage with the GES through the Education Committee in the future to ensure that the House is not caught off guard on such matters.