Hints on delayed reopening of 2020/2021 academic year dashes hopes of private schools and teachers

The Education Ministry led by Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has hinted that the 2020/2021 academic year will not commence in September amid COVID-19. 

The information from the minister on reopening of 2020/2021 academic year dashed the hopes of private schools and their teachers who have suffered most since March 16 when schools were closed down amid the COVID-19.

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This information, therefore, puts the hopes of schools, especially private schools in limbo. The Education Minister has indicated that schools could be fertile grounds for the community spread of the virus per the studies conducted by the scientific community on the nature and behaviour of the virus.

He said schools would not re-open fully since it was dangerous to do so. Any such attempt will endanger the lives of the public and learners.

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So far as locally transmitted coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the country, schools will remain closed he said. 

 “Once the COVID-19 still remain with us, students will not be made to resume fully as it is fertile grounds for the spread of the disease”.: He said

In his submission, he noted that the government will make a decision as to how it intends to manage the next academic year after the WASSCE and BECE for final year students in JHS3 and SHS3 have been written. 

During the 14th National Address by the president of Ghana, he indicated that “the government is in consultation with stakeholders in the education sector on measures for the future re-opening.

From the hint given, it looks like the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service would quash the current 2019/2020 academic calendar which was halfway complete when COVID-19 surfaced.