In a recent development, the Speaker of Parliament in Ghana, Alban Bagbin, has taken a decisive step to address concerns raised by the Minority caucus regarding the resumption date for fresh students.
The Ministry of Education had initially set Monday, December 4, as the reporting date for both single and double-track students, as outlined in the 2023/2024 academic calendar released by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Responding to the voiced concerns, the Speaker of Parliament has urged the Ministry of Education to reconsider its decision. Emphasizing the need for adequate preparation time for students, the Speaker directed the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to appear before Parliament on Monday and provide insights into the matter.
In light of the concerns raised, the Speaker proposed a shift in the resumption date to the first week of January 2024. This proposal aims to provide students, parents, and educational authorities with a more reasonable timeframe to make necessary preparations for the upcoming academic year.
The Speaker expressed the collective sentiment of the house, stating, “The house calls on and urges the Minister of Education to reconsider the directive by the Ministry of Education to students and authorities, including teaching and non-teaching staff, to resume academic work on Monday, December 4.”
Further, he highlighted the importance of the Minister of Education briefing the house on Monday, December 4, to provide clarity on the decision and the proposed changes to the academic calendar.
Acknowledging the potential stress and uncertainty this situation may cause, the Speaker called on students, parents, teachers, and teaching staff to remain calm. Assuring that efforts are underway to resolve the matter, he advised stakeholders to stay composed during this transitional period.
The proposed shift to the first week of January 2024 reflects a commitment to providing ample time for all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the upcoming school year. The outcome of the Minister of Education’s briefing on Monday will shed light on the final decision and pave the way for a smoother transition into the new academic term.
Source: GESHub.org
