In a recent address to the Parliament, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, offered a comprehensive justification for the commencement of the 2023/2024 academic year on December 4, 2023.
Dr. Adutwum outlined several key factors, including the harmonized prospectus, the return to the pre-COVID academic calendar, and the successful placement of over 81% of candidates into Senior High Schools (SHS), as the basis for the government’s directive.
One of the central pillars of Dr. Adutwum’s defense was the significant success in placing students based on their choices. Over 81% of candidates were automatically placed, a commendable achievement that minimized the need for extensive remedial placements.
Dr. Adutwum highlighted that, in some cases, candidates were placed in regions based on their residence, emphasizing that the overall placement process was both efficient and equitable.
Additionally, the Minister of Education disclosed a groundbreaking initiative: the development of a National Harmonized Prospectus for all SHS and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students.
This strategic move was aimed at providing parents with ample time to acquire the necessary prospectus items, ensuring that students could be adequately prepared for the academic year starting on December 4, 2023.
Despite concerns raised about the short preparation time for students before reporting to school, the Ministry of Education, on November 30, reiterated its stance that fresh Senior High School students must adhere to the academic calendar and report to school on the stipulated date.
Dr. Adutwum acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the importance of adhering to the planned schedule for the overall benefit of the education system.
Responding to claims that teaching and non-teaching staff have not had sufficient time to rest before the school reopening, Dr. Adutwum dispelled these notions. He pointed out that since the introduction of the double-track calendar in 2017, there has been a substantial increase in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff.
Furthermore, he clarified that a majority of teachers are only at their posts when a specific track is in session, refuting the notion that educators have not had any rest since the double-track system’s introduction.
Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org
