Reschedule the academic calendar for first year SHS students

Free World Foundation has followed with keen interest what seems to be an attempt by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) on one hand and the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) on the other to joggle with the reopening of the 2010/2011 academic year for first year students.

Whilst recognising the good intention of the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service not to tamper with the academic calendar of the first year students, it is important that we create a conducive atmosphere for academic work.

Unfortunately, the measures put in place by government and supported by the P.T.As and Old Students Associations of the various Senior High Schools are at various stages of completion making them inhabitable and not conducive for academic activities. The disclosure by the President of CHASS, Mr. Samuel Ofori – Adjei that about 50% of schools would not be ready for reopening by October 15, 2010 is an indication that we must thread cautiously.

This problem has arisen because the previous administration failed to adequately prepare when it changed the duration of Senior High School education from 3 years to 4 years after the Anamuah – Mensah Committee’s work and the subsequent reversal of this decision by the current administration.

Also, the suggestion by the GES for the schools to improvise has come at too late a time and is going to put heads of government assisted Senior High Schools in a very difficult position if funds are not readily available for this purpose.

We are dismayed that in spite of the unpreparedness of the schools to accommodate the first year students by the announced date for reopening, the GES still wants schools to reopen on the said date, suggesting that schools turn their laboratories, workshops, dining and assembly halls into classrooms.

Also, the suggestion that schools should resort to the use of tents and plastic chairs will not be conducive enough for quality teaching and learning.
We think that as all schools are using the same syllabus and will be writing the same final exams, it is only right, fair and appropriate for all students to have a level starting point. If the GES goes ahead with its decision, it will put unnecessary pressure on parents, students and school authorities and may also lead to poor academic performance at the end.

With the problem that has arisen, it is evident that it will be practically impossible for fresh students to start their new academic year without any hitches. To fix this problem, we suggest that the reopening date should be fixed for January and by extension a January to December academic calendar be run. We are aware of the clash in calendar but we strongly believe it is the only prudent option available.