The Minister of Education, Yaw Osei-Adutwum is set to appear before Parliament to address concerns over the reporting date for students. Following the release of the 2023 school placement exercise, the Ghana Education Service (GES) had directed for registration and orientation of all first year students to begin from Monday, December 4.
But Parliament, through a press statement, urged the Minister of Education to reschedule the commencement date for first year SHS students.
“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”, it read.
“In view of the urgency of this matter and various concerns raised by Members of Parliament and other stakeholders, 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 at 12:30pm,” the statement added.
However, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has insisted that the reporting date remains unchanged and should be adhered to as indicated on the placement forms.
In a press statement by GES, dated December 2, 2023: “It is the expectation of Management that schools begin registration and orientation of students from the 4th of December 2023. Per the academic calendar, there would be a Christmas break on the 21st of December 2023 and resume on the 3rd of January 2024 to continue academic work till 5th March 2024”.
“Management urges all students yet to do their Self Placement to do so as quickly as practicable”, it added.
But it is yet unknown if there will be any significant change to this calendar as the Education Minister prepares to appear before Parliament today.
