The Ghana Education Service (GES) has reiterated that the 2024/25 academic calendar remains unchanged, dismissing calls for a revision to the reopening schedule. In a statement issued on January 2, 2025, the GES confirmed that Senior High School (SHS) students are to return to school on January 3, 2025, while primary and Junior High Schools (JHS) will reopen on January 8, 2025, as previously announced.
This clarification comes in response to an appeal from the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to the Ministry of Education, highlighting financial constraints faced by second-cycle schools. CHASS had raised alarms about the potential disruption to the academic year if these issues were not addressed promptly. The organization strongly advised postponing the January 3 reopening for SHS students, urging the government to intervene with financial support to ensure a smooth resumption of academic activities.
CHASS had expressed concerns that without immediate financial assistance, schools might struggle to provide essential services, including the availability of food and other critical resources for students. According to CHASS representatives, delays in the disbursement of funds and inadequate financial allocations had placed schools under significant strain, jeopardizing their ability to operate effectively.
Despite these pressing concerns, the GES has maintained its position on adhering to the academic calendar. In its January 2 statement, the GES reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the education system runs smoothly and urged all stakeholders, including students, parents, and school staff, to comply with the announced schedule.
The GES emphasized that the reopening dates for all levels of education—primary, JHS, and SHS—remain unchanged. This decision, the statement explained, aligns with the Ministry of Education’s broader goal of maintaining consistency in the academic calendar to facilitate effective planning and implementation of educational policies.
For SHS students and their families, the confirmation of the January 3 reopening means final preparations for the academic year must proceed as planned. Parents have been urged to ensure their wards report to school on time, equipped with the necessary materials to begin the term. Similarly, teachers and school administrators have been reminded of their roles in creating a conducive environment for learning, despite the logistical challenges some schools may face.
The financial challenges highlighted by CHASS remain a critical issue for the Ministry of Education and the GES to address. In recent years, the free SHS policy has placed additional pressure on the education system, with increased enrollment numbers straining resources at many second-cycle institutions. The Ministry has acknowledged these challenges and assured stakeholders that steps are being taken to address them, including the timely disbursement of funds to schools.
While the GES has chosen not to delay the reopening dates, it has indicated its readiness to engage with CHASS and other stakeholders to resolve the financial concerns raised. Discussions are expected to focus on providing schools with the resources they need to manage the academic term effectively and ensuring that students’ educational experiences are not compromised.
For parents, the news of the unchanged calendar offers some certainty amid the broader concerns about the readiness of schools to reopen. Many have expressed support for the GES’s decision, noting that any further delays could disrupt the academic year and create challenges for students, particularly those preparing for their final examinations.
On the other hand, some parents share CHASS’s concerns about the potential impact of financial constraints on the quality of education. They have called on the government to prioritize education funding and ensure that schools are adequately resourced to meet the needs of students and staff.
The GES’s announcement also serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in the education sector. Effective communication and coordination between the Ministry of Education, the GES, school administrators, teachers, and parents are essential to addressing the challenges facing the education system and ensuring a smooth academic year.
As students prepare to return to their classrooms, the focus now shifts to how schools will navigate the financial challenges they face. For CHASS, the resolution of these issues remains a top priority, and the organization has reiterated its commitment to advocating for the needs of second-cycle schools.
The Ministry of Education, for its part, has assured the public that it is working closely with the GES and other stakeholders to address the concerns raised. In a recent statement, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to providing the necessary support to schools to ensure that the academic year proceeds without significant disruptions.
In the meantime, the GES has urged all stakeholders to remain focused on their shared goal of providing quality education for Ghanaian students. The service has called on parents, teachers, and students to cooperate and adhere to the announced academic schedule, noting that any deviations could have ripple effects on the education system as a whole.
The decision to uphold the 2024/25 academic calendar reflects the GES’s broader commitment to maintaining stability and continuity in Ghana’s education sector. While the financial challenges highlighted by CHASS are undoubtedly significant, the GES’s stance underscores the importance of prioritizing the academic needs of students and ensuring that the academic year begins on schedule.
As the January 3 and January 8 reopening dates approach, all eyes will be on how schools, with the support of the Ministry of Education and the GES, manage the start of the academic year. For many stakeholders, the hope is that the financial concerns raised by CHASS will be addressed promptly, allowing schools to focus on their primary mission of delivering quality education to Ghanaian students.
The GES’s decision to proceed with the announced academic calendar serves as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability of Ghana’s education system. Despite the challenges, the commitment of educators, administrators, parents, and students to advancing the cause of education remains unwavering. As the 2024/25 academic year begins, this collective effort will be critical to ensuring a successful and productive year for all involved.
