The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially revised the reopening date for single-track Senior High Schools (SHSs), pushing it from March 29, 2025, to April 23, 2025.
This change was communicated in a circular dated March 27, 2025, and addressed to all regional directors of education. The directive, signed by Prince C. Agyeman-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instructions Division, on behalf of the Acting Director-General of the GES, urged regional directors to disseminate the new reopening date to all concerned stakeholders.
“By this letter, regional directors of education are requested to communicate this information to all heads of single-track senior high and senior high technical schools to inform parents, guardians, and students to take note of the new date and prepare accordingly,” the statement read.
Reason for the Rescheduling
Initially, students were expected to resume on March 29, 2025, following their vacation on March 4. However, due to the Eid-Ul-Fitr public holidays on March 30 and 31, the reopening date was first adjusted to April 1, 2025. Subsequent considerations led to a further extension to April 23, 2025.
A statement from the Ministry of the Interior clarified that Eid-Ul-Fitr falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025, prompting the President to declare additional public holidays on Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, through an Executive Instrument (E.I.).
“However, in view of the fact that 30th March 2025 falls on a Sunday and in the interest of the public, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I.), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601), declared Monday, March 31, 2025, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as additional public holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the statement explained.
GES Clarifies Decision
Confirming the revision, Cassandra Twum-Ampofo of the GES Public Relations Unit stated that the decision was taken to avoid unnecessary travel disruptions for students, particularly given the sequence of holidays.
“Monday and Tuesday had been declared as statutory holidays, and just after they returned, there would be a break for Easter celebrations. It would not be prudent to allow students to be traveling back and forth, considering the risks involved,” she said.
To ensure uninterrupted academic work, GES opted to shift the reopening date, allowing students to return after the holiday period.
Regarding concerns about the impact on final-year students preparing for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Ms. Twum-Ampofo reassured that measures were in place to compensate for lost instructional time.
“There is always an instructional hour added to make up for breaks of this nature,” she assured.
She further clarified that the adjustment applies only to single-track SHSs, while double-track students remain unaffected and will continue their academic calendar as scheduled.
