Source: Emmanuella Ewurabena Acquaye

The school had declared 400 vacancies but was allocated only 190 students by the computer placement system. Only a little over 60 accepted the offer to enroll in the school.

On a visit to the school, Adom News’ Obrempongba K. Owusu observed that a little over 100 second- and third-year students had also reported to school after the closure in June 2025, due to the ongoing conflict in the area.

However, teachers were present in significant numbers to begin the academic term.

Some students expressed their joy at returning to school after months of missing out on academic activities.

They acknowledged they have lost a lot of learning time and hoped their return would inspire their peers to come back to school.

The students also appealed to parents to send their children to schools in Nkwanta South, reassuring them that the area is now peaceful.

The headmaster of the school, Emmanuel Atimemo, encouraged parents to enroll their children, emphasizing the restored peace in Nkwanta South and its surroundings.

He also requested additional boarding facilities to accommodate students traveling from far and near, ensuring their safety.

Mr. Atimemo noted that providing such facilities would enhance student safety and promote a conducive learning environment.

Source: Obrempongba K. Owusu

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The initiative will support more than 68,000 teachers in delivering lessons to over 1.4 million students, while promoting innovation in education without compromising Ghana’s ethical and cultural values.

The AI apps were co-created by the Ghana Education Service (GES), NaCCA, NTC, NaSIA, and CENDLOS, with technical input from Playlab AI and support from Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) and the Mastercard Foundation.

According to the Ministry, the tools, built on Ghana’s curriculum materials—will help teachers plan lessons, conduct assessments, and access interactive resources, while giving students tailored learning support.

The statement added that the rollout will strengthen curriculum delivery, bridge teaching gaps, and provide teachers and learners with innovative tools for improved learning outcomes.

Source: AdomOnline

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The directive, which covers both single-track and transitional schools, was outlined in a circular issued to Regional Directors of Education following the release of the 2025/2026 academic calendar.

The circular detailed term dates, holidays, and special arrangements to guide schools in ensuring a smooth academic year.

Regional Directors have been instructed to disseminate the calendar to heads of second-cycle institutions and enforce strict compliance, while also providing monitoring and support to guarantee uniformity across schools.

“The Service counts on your usual cooperation to ensure effective teaching and learning in our institutions for the 2025/2026 academic year,” the statement added.

This follows assurances from security agencies that adequate measures have been put in place to guarantee the safety of both students and staff.

The extended closure of the schools had sparked concern among parents, educators, and the wider community. The recent escalation of violence claimed several lives, including a final-year student from Nkwanta SHS, heightening fears about the safety of students commuting to and from school.

However, following a series of meetings involving school authorities, traditional leaders from Adele, Akyode, and Challa, and security personnel, a comprehensive plan has been drawn to ensure a safe return to academic work.

Solomon Sarpong Bagmae, headmaster of Nkwanta SHS, told Adom News that the school is committed to maintaining peace and security.

All final-year students, including day students from the three schools, are to report to Nkwanta SHS to adequately prepare for the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

He noted that increased police presence has been assured around the school and along key travel routes, with regular patrols to deter any threats.

In addition, school management has been directed to implement safety protocols, including emergency response plans, to help students feel secure on campus.

The chiefs—Nana Gadisa Okunte of Challa, Nana Okaja of Akyode, and Nana Amanfo Monfankye of the Adele Traditional Council—said the return of the students is not only important for their academic progress but also essential to restoring normalcy in the community.

They emphasized that education remains a vital pillar for development and urged all stakeholders to work together to safeguard learning.

As students prepare to resume studies, parents and guardians are encouraged to remain supportive and alert. Collaboration between schools, local authorities, and the community will be key in ensuring a safe and productive environment.

With the right support systems in place, there is hope that the students can stay focused and successfully complete their final year.

Source: Obrempongba K. Owusu

The Central Region saw a strong showing this year, with six schools reaching the quarter-finals, four advancing to the semi-finals, and two (Mfantsipim and St. Augustine’s College) making it to the finals.

Apam Senior High School had the biggest rise, climbing 19 spots from 71st in 2023 to 52nd in 2024. Mpraeso Senior High School also improved, moving from 84th to 70th, while St. John’s School, Sekondi, rose from 65th to 52nd.

Significant regional disparities persist in the rankings, with schools from newly created regions like Ahafo, North East, Savannah, and Western North still absent from the top 100, largely due to infrastructure and resource challenges.

Full details below:

Top 10 Rankings:

1. Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (Presec-Legon) – 690 points
2. Prempeh College – 620 points
3. Adisadel College – 572 points
4. Mfantsipim School – 515 points
5. Opoku Ware School – 470 points
6. Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) – 462.5 points
7. St. Peter’s Senior High School – 380 points
8. St. Augustine’s College – 345 points
9. Accra Academy – 345 points
10. St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School – 344 points

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Speaking after swearing in the first batch of ministers at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, January 22, President Mahama assured, “We have put in short-term measures to ensure that our children have adequate food, so they can continue their education without interruption.”

He noted that while these interim steps are critical, his government is also working on long-term solutions to address the issue comprehensively.

“These short-term measures will sustain our children in school as we strategize on streamlining the food supply system,” he explained.

Mahama further disclosed that his administration is tackling significant debts inherited from the previous government, including arrears owed to schools since 2021.

“We are preparing to pay off these debts to stabilize the education sector,” he added.

The food shortage issue was highlighted earlier this month by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), who reported inadequate food supplies and unpaid feeding fees. Some schools had asked parents to provide food for their children upon resumption.

President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the challenges, ensuring that no student is deprived of education due to food shortages.

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“You cannot repeat a student right now under the Free SHS policy because the government is providing a scholarship for that student, and it cannot be granted twice” he said.

He further explained that if a student enters Form 1, the government has already funded their education for that year.

“If that student repeats Form 1, it means the government is paying fees twice for that student, which creates a financial burden on the government,” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday.

Due to this, he said, the option of repeating a student is no longer available.

“There’s no pressure for students to learn since there are schools in Ghana where students simply don’t attend class, and whether they fail or not, they are automatically promoted,” Mr. Carbonu noted.

He referred to this practice as “wholesale promotion” because of the funding constraints that prevent students from being held back.

“Some head teachers have tried to request that certain students be repeated, but they’ve been unsuccessful. The question is: Where would you get the funding to pay for that student?.It is not government policy, so students are automatically promoted, with no repetition or withdrawal” he noted.

In his view, the Free SHS policy functions like a scholarship for each student.

“When a student is repeated, it means the government is paying for their education again, which goes against the government’s financial interests. This is a serious issue, and it’s something that should be addressed. Some head teachers have complained to me many times, but they feel powerless to do anything about it” he said.

Going forward, Mr. Carbonu called for a dialogue on the matter and urged government to reconsider its stance.

“When there’s a proper conversation, the government should admit that students who need to be repeated should be allowed to do so,” he concluded.

CARBONU ON SHS REPETITION

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It will cover Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs nationwide, starting in November.

For the past two years, NaCCA has collaborated with GES on this curriculum, drawing on extensive planning and consultations with various stakeholders.

This collaborative process included input from over 300 experts across Ghana, creating a comprehensive curriculum designed to reshape the educational landscape.

Teacher preparation has been central to the curriculum’s development, with ongoing Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions held weekly to equip teachers with the skills needed for effective implementation.

To support educators further, the Ministry of Education, alongside subject-specific associations, has developed teacher manuals tailored to the new curriculum, ensuring they have the resources necessary to guide students effectively.

The new curriculum is built around three main outcomes: equipping students with essential 21st-century skills to navigate modern challenges, providing a strong academic foundation for further education, and preparing learners for the workforce with the competencies and character qualities essential for professional success and societal contributions.

Through this curriculum, students will be prepared to lead responsible lives, pursue higher education, and confidently enter the job market.

A distinctive feature of the new curriculum is its focus on shared Ghanaian values.

It seeks to foster a sense of pride and responsibility in learners, encouraging an appreciation for Ghana’s cultural heritage.

The curriculum also includes flexible learning pathways, enabling students to select subjects that align with their interests and career aspirations.

Additionally, intervention programs in mathematics and English will support students needing extra assistance in these core subjects.

The new assessment methods also focus on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Speaking on the new curriculum, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, Director-General of NaCCA, stated, “This curriculum is designed to be transformative, shaping the next generation of Ghanaian leaders.

“It’s more than an update; it’s a groundbreaking shift toward equipping learners with essential skills for success in today’s fast-paced world. At its core, the curriculum is committed to nurturing critical thinking, fostering creativity, and honing problem-solving abilities.”

He noted that this is Ghana’s first SHS curriculum to emphasize shared Ghanaian values, aiming to inspire pride in the nation and a dedication to its growth and development.

The curriculum implementation will begin with the 2024/2025 academic year, marking a new chapter for education.

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His comments come in response to a promise from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to eliminate the double-track system if they win the 2024 elections.

Dr. Adutwum highlighted the importance of a strategic approach to phasing out the system, starting with the expansion of facilities to accommodate more students. He noted that the government has already made strides through the Ministry of Education by constructing additional facilities in various schools and is gradually phasing out the double-track system, with plans to extend this effort to more institutions.

During a presentation on the State of Ghana’s Education to clergy in the Ashanti Region on October 29, Dr. Adutwum stressed that cancelling the double-track system for political reasons could exacerbate existing educational challenges.

“When the double-track system was introduced in Ghana, it was to address the increased enrollment demand in our High Schools, particularly in category A schools. It’s important to note that many schools have already transitioned away from the double-track system, and for those still using it, we have transition calendars in place.

“For instance, Tamale Senior School (SHS) has moved beyond double-track, and we are working towards ensuring Opoku Ware Senior High School will also not be double-track in the upcoming academic year due to the new facilities the government has built there.

“Some individuals claim they will abolish the double-track system, but I believe they do not fully understand the implications.

“If we were to eliminate double track at Prempeh College today, there wouldn’t be space for even one new student. The same goes for Presec; if we cancel double track, 1,500 students this year would have nowhere to go.

“Should we make such a decision purely for political reasons and deny 1,500 students their education? It’s a choice we must consider, but it would be a disastrous one.”

Source: Adomonline

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This statement follows the recent arrest of an O’Reilly Senior High School student who fatally stabbed a classmate on Tuesday, September 3, after an argument reportedly escalated over whose father was wealthier.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi News, NAGRAT President, Angel Carbonu stressed the need for school authorities to have the autonomy to enforce discipline to prevent such tragic events.

“Unfortunately, when teachers attempt to enforce rules, certain groups advocating for human rights often accuse them of overstepping boundaries,”Carbonu noted.

The NAGRAT President criticized the influence of some financial NGOs.

“When we accept financial support from these organizations, we sometimes lose sight of the need to establish rules and regulations that reflect the realities of our environment” he stated.

Mr Carbonu lamented that, the current approach discourages discipline.

“We’re told, ‘don’t do this, don’t do that; speaking to a student in a certain way might cause psychological harm.’ It’s as if we’re expected to coddle students, even when they misbehave. As a result, the school environment is increasingly becoming a place where students are emboldened to act out” he added.

Source: Adomonline

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President Akufo-Addo initially announced on March 24, 2024, that approximately 1.3 million Smart Tablets would be distributed to Senior High School (SHS) students across the country.

He said this during the launch of the Ghana Smart Schools Project in Accra, which aims to equip students in the free SHS program with essential technological skills, in line with the government’s commitment to advancing education through technology.

In May 2024, the Ministry reported that around 70,000 smart tablets had already been distributed to 30 out of the 450,000 schools scheduled to receive them.

During the International Educators Summit 2024, themed “Reimagining Education for the Future We Seek: Africa and the World in Dialogue,” the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum assured that, all schools would receive their tablets by October.

“We have begun a momentum, education, technology integration. All high schools within the next two, or three months will get their tablets, everyone. The 1.3 million. We have started already,” he stated.

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The Ministry’s spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng assured parents that there is sufficient food available for students, urged them to remain calm, and emphasised the ministry’s commitment to delivering high-quality meals to students.

This comes on the back of JoyNews investigations which confirmed an acute shortage of food items in many Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country, resulting in poor quality meals served the students.

Speaking on JoyNews on March 4, 2024, the P.R.O., stated that both school matrons and headmasters are dedicated to ensuring the preparation of nutritious food and would not endorse any low-quality meals.

Mr. Kwarteng called for collaboration with the media to provide oversight and accountability in monitoring food standards in secondary schools.

“We see the media as people we work with, and so at every point when you bring feedback and we also impress upon you to get a particular list of schools affected, it is not in a way to suggest the work of the media; maybe we are throwing a question or questioning the credibility of your work. We are only saying, whatever you have within your sleeve, get us the list of those.” 

 Mr. Kwarteng admitted that he does not have comprehensive knowledge of all events in every secondary school.

He mentioned that the Ministry’s feeding programme is not fully mechanized, relying on human intervention, which occasionally presents challenges.

However, the P.R.O. assured that the Ministry intervened promptly to address any issues that arose. 

“We are getting to know that the main point is not even a shortage of food. Sis right now on nutrition, quality, and inadequacy.”

Background

JoyNews sources have confirmed an acute shortage of food items in many Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country.

For months, parents, teachers, and stakeholders have raised concerns about the alleged shortcomings of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, specifically regarding the provision of three daily hot meals to SHS students free of charge.

After over seven years of policy implementation, President Akufo-Addo during the 2024 State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Tuesday, February 27, emphasised the transformative impact of the Free SHS policy.

He called for an end to arguments against the policy, stating that its success should be acknowledged, and efforts should focus on improving it.

“Mr Speaker, Free SHS might be labelled by its detractors as a mere political slogan that must be demonised, but it is, in fact, a transformative programme that has broken myths and liberated minds.

“I am proud that the NPP government, under my leadership, has been able to bring this transformative policy into our education system. Mr Speaker, I believe the success of the Free SHS has answered its critics and the arguments about it should cease, and we should simply concentrate on finding ways to improve it.”

However, fresh details uncovered by JoyNews suggest serious defects that could undermine the effective implementation of the Free SHS policy.

The investigative documentary, “Empty Plates,” produced by investigative journalist Kwetey Nartey, presents evidence of an acute shortage of food items in many senior high schools nationwide.

JoyNews’ Channel Manager, Kwaku Owusu Peprah, explained that the decision to commission an independent inquiry into the quantity of food served to the students and create the documentary was driven by public interest journalism.

He said that the Joy Newsroom had received complaints from parents and individuals about the quantity of food available to students.

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March 7 declared holiday for students

Teacher Unions, parents and other relevant stakeholders had called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reconsider the reporting but that has yielded no results.

Parliament waded into the call and urged the Education Ministry to reschedule the date to the first week of January instead of Monday, December 4 over the limited time for parents to prepare.

But in a statement, GES insisted the date remains unchanged, adding it is the expectation of management that schools begin registration and orientation of students from the 4th of December 2023.

Meanwhile, 585,797 out of a total of 598,839 candidates have been placed in various Senior High Schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Schools (TVET) through Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

Parents facing challenges with the placements of their wards have been advised to visit resolution centres set up nationwide for support.

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The Public Relations Officer for the Education Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, disclosed this on Adom FM”s Dwaso Nsem.

The report date, he said, is pending the release of the 2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).

“WAEC announced they will release the results on January 25, 2023, so once that is done, within a week or two, we will begin the placement processes. So by February, they will go to school,” he said.

Mr Kwarteng further advised 2022 BECE candidates to check online to view their school placements after they have been released.

He added that there will be manual provisions in place for students who are unable to get to schools via the Computerised School Selection and Placement System.

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Meanwhile, he assured the general public further details will be made available once the school placements are announced.

He explained that the institution, when completed, would become Creative Arts skills hunting and development centre for the country, Africa and the rest of the world.

Harvey Mason made the announcement when he paid a courtesy call on the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, in Accra on Monday.

The Recording Academy CEO noted that he was ready to support the school to help to become a top-notch Creative Arts training institution.

Harvey Mason Jr’s visit to the Education Ministry took place after meeting with various stakeholders in the music and hospitality industry in the country.

From Ghana, Harvey Mason Jnr will be travelling to Rwanda to attend the 13th edition of the Grow, Unite, Build Africa (GUBA) Awards slated for September 29, 2022, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda where he has been nominated to pick a global award.

Commendation

The CEO lauded the Education Minister for his role in establishing the Creative Arts School to help train the best talents in the entertainment sector.

He stated that there was a need for the pool of talents in this side of the world to be tapped and harnessed to the rest of the world for the development of the various facets of the world.

Appreciation

Responding, Dr Yaw Adutwum praised him for choosing to visit Ghana and for his desire to support the development of the Creative Arts industry in the country.

The Education Minister assured the Recording Academy CEO of his preparedness to collaborate with him and other partners to get the best support for the nation.

Dr Yaw Adutwum again declared his readiness to partner with the Academy towards building a strong curriculum for the CASHS at Kwadaso.

“We are trying our possible best to change the old paradigm and the state of education in the country and other initiatives which affected the nation’s development agenda,” he said.

The Education Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, assured the CEO of his Ministry’s readiness to meet with the institution any time to collaborate. 

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According to him, since ignorance of the law is not an excuse, he believes state institutions such as the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Ministry of Education should embark on deliberate measures to educate the public about the constitution.

This follows Akuapem Poloo’s case where she was arrested for going nude in front of her son in a birthday photo she posted on her Instagram page some months ago.

Poloo said she did it out of ignorance of the law. Reacting to it, Mr Klah said a lot of crimes in the country could have been prevented if the constitution was part of the educational syllabus “right from primary 1”.

“How do we do the right thing when we don’t know it’s the right thing? How do we choose not to do the wrong thing when we don’t know it’s wrong? We know for a fact that ignorance of the law is no excuse. I don’t think it’s okay to treat the ignorance of the constitution with what it deserves.

“If we don’t know the the constitution frowns upon it, we will always fall victims and will be incriminated, and we will not have any excuse. It will rather become a trap. Can the NCCE find a way to teach us what they are supposed to teach us?” he said on Daybreak Hitz on HItz FM.

Mr Klah continued: “The educational planners have maths in there, obviously who ever planned it thought it was necessary and mandatory till you finish school. English which is not from Ghana is in there, and we are supposed to learn it.

“Why can’t we have the constitution broken down in bits and pieces from class one up till when you are 18 years and can vote? So that we know that you have knowledge of what this country says, so that we are promoting compliance, not get people caught up in the law, and then we incriminate them to learn their lesson.

“I am a bit worried and I think we need to visit this and have NCCE reps to tell us something, and I am also calling on the Minister of Education if we can have the constitution as part of the curriculum.”

According to Mr Klah, the percentage of law-abiding citizens will shoot up if his suggestion is taken into consideration.

“Let’s learn what is supposed to govern and guide our decision-making, this is the best way to promote democracy because everyone will be a pocket lawyer, but we have people walking about ignorant about their own laws. It’s very sad.”

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The Conference of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), which announced this said, inter-school sports and debate competitions and other extra-curricular activities have also been suspended.

This is as a result of prolonged delay in the release of funds for such activities by government.

The decision was taken by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of CHASS after it was established that school heads are having to divert already scanty funds meant for feeding, into supporting these activities.

According to National President of CHASS, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar suspending the activities is the best way to keep the schools running efficiently on their core academic mandate.

“The monies are already meagre as it is for the supplies we need. Monies for recurrent expenditure have been in arrears for more than a year. And so when we met, we decided that the best thing to do is to suspend these activities which are not properly part of our main responsibility of academic work”, Alhaji Abubakar told JoyNews.

He said, “Senior High School education is not only about the classroom. These extra-curricular activities help in improving the general quality of education delivered in the schools. But now we have to put all of them on hold because we can’t afford it”.

A statement released to the regional chapters of CHASS after the NEC meeting said, “most of the monies sent to the schools these days are for perishables and apart from the fact that it is inadequate for even the feeding of the students, it is equally misappropriation of funds if we should continuously use such monies for things they are not intended for”.

It further directed that, “regional chairs should liaise with their Regional Directors and Old Boys to explain matters to them to forestall any misunderstanding in the stance taken by CHASS”.

The inter-school sports competitions have been the main sources of recruiting new talents to feed the national teams.

From Tamale, 16-year-old Yehuza Ibtisam Npahya has gained admission to Accra Girls Senior High School.

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, she’s arrived at the school where she hopes to inch closer to her dream.

‘I was on the trip [to Accra] all by myself. I slept a lot. In fact, I slept, woke up, slept and work up again’, Ibtisam said as she recounted her 382-mile journey from Tamale, the heart of the Northern region to the national capital.

Unlike the hundreds of stranded people at the Ghana Education Service’s Resolution Center for placement issues, Ibtisam is fortunate to have been placed at AGISS, one of only few all-female high schools in Accra. It is a dream-come-true for her.

‘I searched on the internet and saw pictures of the school together with its history. I liked it so I decided to apply here. And I got in’, she said while beaming with smiles.

She was one of the over 500 girls who were arriving on the school’s campus for the first time as binafide students.

As freshers, their pink checkered uniforms set them apart from their seniors or rather, the sisters.

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Sonia, the perfect of the new house Ibtisam will be staying muttered a few of the rules which must be obeyed by all.

“You can’t call the seniors just by their original names. You must prefix it with ‘Sister’, For example you can call me Sister Sonia not Sonia”, she said.

Also, “when you see a Sister climbing up the stairs you’ll have to descend for her to complete the climb before you take the stairs too. And you must take your bucket away from the tap if you see a Sister getting close with her bucket”, Sonia added.

This sounds unsettling for Ibtisam.

“I can deal with calling them sisters, but taking my bucket away when a Sister brings her bucket is strange”, she retorted while assuring she’ll obey and go ‘cry later’.

But as she thinks about all the learning and re-learning awaiting her, she’s struck by the unmistakable statue of a student with her face buried in a book, sitting right at the entrance.

The Tamale girl is immediately reminded of the real reason she is in Accra in the first place.

“I want to be a journalist or a news caster. So I’ll do whatever I’m told by my teachers she I’ll contribute to class discussions too”, she pledged.

Her father, Yehuza Abubakar believes her. He is confident of an even better moulded Ibtisam, when he returns to pick her up at the end of her 3-year stay at the school.

He said, “her classmates should watch out.  I believe she’ll do even better than she did in the BECE”.

For now, Ibtisam says she’ll miss home as this will be the first night she’ll spend outside her home without her parents.

And there will be many more lonely nights, only the new faces she’s seeing today will become the partners with whom she travels her 3-year high school journey.

Director- General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwa, has said.

He made this known on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show Tuesday.

According to him, though his outfit does not have a direct cut-off point for the computer school placement, when a student gets aggregate 9 in English Language and Mathematics, they consider that a cut-off, so he or she will not qualify for placement.

He said aside from the grade and raw score, the CSSPS is also done based on 6 subjects namely; English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies and two other best-performed subjects of a candidate.

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“When a candidate gets Maths and English 9, they will not be qualified for postings but when you get 8 in English and 9 in Maths, you will get the postings. Our only concern is the English and Mathsz. The cut-off point may 52 going and even that one, a candidate may get a place unless there is no space but since there is enough space, every student will get a place,” he said.

Prof Amankwa has made this known amid the release of the 2020/2021 Computerised School Selection and Placement Systems (CSSPS) into SHS.

Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwa, has said although the ongoing School Selection Placement has been faced with a few challenges, his outfit has been proactive to ensure that they are resolved.

According to him, the solution centres have really helped in resolving the issues with the placement this year and have been much better than in previous years.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show Tuesday, Prof Amankwa said he always has people calling and complaining about the challenges they are facing with the placement.

For instance, he said his nephew who had PRESEC is worried because he had Day instead of boarding house.

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Education Ministry makes fresh proposal over SHS placement

Education Ministry sends important message to parents over SHS placements [Listen]

“I have two special cases I am dealing with. My nephew had PRESEC but I was there one day when his mother called me that my nephew is worried and threatening to do something silly and I had to calm him down. I am sure some of his friends had boarding and so the thought of it alone had him having negative thoughts. I told him he is even lucky I am his uncle and so will try and make sure his issue is resolved.

“Another friend called me that his wife’s blood pressure is low because their ward didn’t get the school they desired and so I spoke to them also,” he said.

All these, he said, are some of the challenges but added that most of the students are part of the problems as they are keen on attending schools they did not get.

He has, therefore, urged students to remain calm as every ward who has completed JHS will be placed.

To him, they are expecting about 570,000 students to be placed into the various SHSs as academic work will begin after the Easter celebration.

The 12-unit classroom block at Nasuani, when completed in October, will be used to establish a girls’ model senior high school.

Speaking at a short gathering to introduce the project contractors, MP for the area, Oscar Liwal, told residents that the project was in fulfillment of their longstanding dream to have a secondary school within the district.

The District Chief Executive for Nasuani, Bettie Konan, elaborated on how the Chief of Nasuani considered it prudent to seek a school from Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

 “When we talk of girls education Yunyoo Nasuani district has been left far behind and our Chief thought it wise to request for girls’ modern senior high school from the Vice President through our honorable Member of Parliament through the District Chief Executive, thank God this morning, we are here with contractors to start the contract in Nasuani,” he said.

According to him, getting a secondary education at their doorstep will help reduce the menaces of child forced marriage, teenage pregnancy and Kayaaye, therefore, he appealed to the government not to abandon the project.

“Many of them travel to Kumasi, Accra even Tamale to do ‘kayaaye’ and this is just because of lack of education, some senior high schools are very far so it’s very difficult to get educated at that place, I think this project will help the girls her to be well educated,” they told JoyNews.

He further explained that “the girl’s school will be founded to reduce teenage pregnancy and coerced early marriages drastically. Females here are usually in this circumstance due to a lack of higher education institutions as well as poverty.

“I think teenage pregnancy and forced early marriages will reduce significantly when our girl’s school is established. Our girls here normally find themselves in this situation due to the absence of higher level of educational institutions and also poverty.”

Made up of 100 buses and 50 pickup trucks, this latest provision of vehicles form part of a broader, ongoing effort by government, through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and other stakeholders, to not only increase access to education for every Ghanaian child, but also provide the necessary infrastructure and logistics to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, held at the Accra High School on Monday, 31 January 2022, Vice President Bawumia recalled that in March 2020 he handed over, on behalf of government, 365 Isuzu Double Cabin pickup trucks out of a total of 840 procured, to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directorates of Education, as well as selected agencies under the Ministry of Education.

“I also handed 493 out of a total 2,000 motorbikes to aid the work of circuit supervisors and to further enhance their supervisory roles in the education sector. I further announced that government had procured 350 buses for our Senior High Schools in this country and we distributed 100 of those buses in July 2020.

“Today It is indeed an honour for me to hand over a total of 150 vehicles, including 100 buses and 50 pickup vehicles for use in our secondary schools.”

Dr Bawumia underscored the importance of an efficient transportation system in the education sector, particularly in light of the flagship Free Senior High School programme, and pledged Government’s commitment to doing even more.

“It is well documented that the availability of good transportation for students positively impacts quality education delivery,” Dr Bawumia noted.

“An efficient transportation system in our schools increases student enrolment and encourages many students to stay in school. Indeed, it has been said that a dependable transportation system in schools improves the safety of students and makes teachers and students more productive.

“An efficient transportation system in schools is also key to hastening the economic transformation and the development of our country as envisioned by this Government led by His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo.

“Thus, in the last five (5) years, our government has committed to increasing access to quality education and providing vehicles to secondary schools to support the transportation of our growing population in these schools.”

The quest to provide quality, accessible education to Ghana’s youth remains on course, and everything necessary to achieve this will continue to receive serious government attention, Vice President Bawumia emphasised.

“The hand-over of buses today is part of the efforts to increase access to quality education anchored on a robust education system that trains a critical mass of students empowered to be active participants in our country’s transformation.”

The Minister for Education, Yaw Osei Adutwum, maintained that the transformation of any nation begins with the transformation of its educational system, and lauded President Akufo-Addo for his continued efforts to actualize his vision of a Ghana full of confident, educated youth ready to make a mark on the world.

On behalf of the beneficiary schools the President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Alhaji Yacoub Abubakari, expressed gratitude to Government for the provision of logistics to schools, and pledged their support to ensure the success of the Free SHS programme.

Mr Forjour hinted that basic schools are expected to resume by Tuesday, January 18, while school for the SHS students will commence on February 7.

According to him, there had been a calendar for the regulation of schools in the country, however, the Covid-19 pandemic has stalled its usage.

Basic schools as well as SHS were tipped to resume classes on January 11, but nothing has been heard from officials two days after the due date.

The delay, Mr Fordjour attributed to the National Standardized Test held for primary 4 pupils on December 17, which he said distracted the schedule, for which the Ministry is putting in efforts to draw a new calendar.

Although the Deputy Minister did not give full details of the re-opening and curriculum, he assured Ghanaians that further details will be communicated.

“January 18th, Tuesday, we are expecting KG-JHS to resume back to school, while we are expecting SHS to resume on the 7th February. Today I will release the opening date but GES will engage in press briefing tomorrow for further details.”

He disclosed that plans are being put in place to factor vacation dates for both levels in a way that they will not clash.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, he said his sector is unfazed by pressure from some quarters as the motive is to announce an impeccable calendar that would be unanimously agreed on.

Despite the setbacks the Standardized tests have posed to the sector, Mr Fordjour said there are no regrets for its introduction.

In the history of Ghanaian education, he said this is the first time an examination has not been rocked with controversy, malpractice and leakage of questions.

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They will be in school until January 28, 2022, when they would be expected to have completed the examination, thus ending the 2021 academic year.

This follows an arrangement between the Ministry of Education and its agency, the Ghana Education Service (GES) on the one hand, and members of the Conference of Heads of government Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) on the other hand.

The ministry says it has resolved the concerns raised by the CHASS bordering on challenges that threatened the reopening of the schools to enable the students to write the examination and successfully end the academic year.

On December 23, 2021, the CHASS at its National Executive Council meeting resolved that if by December 31, 2021, the government and for that matter, the GES did not release the full complement of the outstanding monies and food supplies to schools, it would officially inform the management of the GES on January 4, 2022 that schools would not be reopened.

It planned that after informing the GES, it would also advise parents not to send their wards to schools on the reporting date of January 5, as heads would not be able to administer the running of the schools amidst those challenges.

The CHASS requested among others that the first semester Forms 1&2 recurrent balance for 2021 and the whole of the second semester recurrent for Forms 1,2&3 be settled.

It also requested the provision of funds for the purchase of perishables for the second semester and also money for the conduct of the end of semester examination.

The CHASS further requested that the National Food and Buffer Stock (NAFCO) should make available all outstanding food supplies to schools.

But on December 30, 2021, a meeting at the instance of the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and management of the GES was held to chart a course to resolve the challenges.

The Ministry has consequently released funds for heads of schools to purchase the perishable food items to cover the period the students would be in school.

Funds have also been released to enable the heads of schools to successfully conduct the end of semester examination and the general running of their administration.

Additionally, arrangements are in place for the supply of non-perishable food items through the NAFCO to all the SHSs to keep the students until they complete the end of semester examination.

A statement, signed by the Head of Public Relations Unit of the GES, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, said the exercise will end on December 14, 2021.

Ahead of the selection, a public sensitisation on the guidelines that will be adopted for the school selection will be conducted across all regional and district education directorates.

“Management wishes to inform all stakeholders to watch out for infographics, short videos in nine Ghanaian languages, fliers and physical presence of officers in all districts, communities and schools to embark on the sensitisation drive,” part of the release said.

Parents and guardians have been advised to take a keen interest in the selection of school processes to ensure a smooth placement for their wards this year.

Before an actual placement will be done, an opportunity will be given for candidates to text to a short code and confirm their school choices.

“Details of the shortcode will be made available in due course,” the release added.

Read the statement below:

“From breaking common school rules, using of hard drugs, pushing down school fence walls, engaging in physical fights with knives and cutlasses inflicting several cuts on themselves, and vandalizing teachers,’’ he bemoaned the indiscipline schools are faced with.

He said this while giving his speech at the 59th Conference in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region on the topic, ‘Discipline and Child Rights in Our Senior High Schools: The Fate of the School Heads’.

“Are we in the dilemma of spare the rod and spoil the child?’’ he rhetorically asked.

He again touched on the issue of lack of funds for Senior High Schools in the region.

The Vice-Chancellor of the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Professor Eric Magnus Willmont, also in his speech during the Conference, urged heads of schools to find other ways of instilling discipline in the students.

“Establish guidelines, school or classroom rules for behaviour in order to prevent indiscipline among students,’’ he said.

In attendance were various Heads of Senior High Schools, teachers, stakeholders, and education unions among others.

A staff member was seriously injured after he was shot in the chest by one of the armed robbers.

The suspects, numbering 11 who were armed with four unidentified firearms, managed to make away with $5,134, 14,350 Zimbabwean Dollars, and a Toyota Hilux twin cab vehicle.

No student was, however, harmed in the attack.

In a press statement released by the country’s police, it said the car was later recovered parked on the shoulder of the road miles away in another district.

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The police believe the suspects are notorious and called on residents to provide any information that can lead to an arrest.

Below is the statement from the police:

According to the Highlife artiste, born Eugene Marfo, his stay in the Akim-Wenchi Salvation Army SHS was beneficial to his music career than his education.

Though he has tons of memories from the school, his demo moments and acquaintanceship with a beat producer are the highlights for him.

“Beat making for me started in SHS during that period, we held school demos and the ladies loved it. When we released the music, the whole school wanted to listen to it and it was fascinating. It was an amazing experience,” he said.

In a bid to learn more, he said he visited the studios of a beat producer to observe and learn, and in no time he was making useful contributions.

The producer, impressed by the talent of the then young boy, extended an invitation for him to visit frequently, and that was the beginning of his blessing.

“I run from school to hide in the producer’s condo. It went on like that for two months and it was one of the reasons for my deboardinization. At that time, I was almost completing school so I had to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn about music,” he added.

However, he said his mother made him relocate to a school in Accra in a bid to keep her eye on him.

Despite all odds, he said he passed out with flying colours and gained admission to a private tertiary music school where he studied Sound Engineering and Music Production.

That, coupled with his experience from church, he said, aided him to produce the best beats and has earned him recognition as Artiste of the Year and other tags.

The gospel musician has joined the train as she remembers her schooling days back at Ghana National College.

Specifically a guest in the Charlotte Bart-Plange house, Madam Hamilton dropped a throwback photo of her donning the school’s Friday wear.

This was some decades ago when she was still a teenager rocking the ancient ponk hairstyle.

The photo, she said, is to remember how far God’s grace had brought her; from an ordinary quiet student to an award-winning musician.

She attended Ghana National College after she completed Morning Star School located at Cantonments, Accra.

Currently, she is a registered nurse in the United Kingdom where she is currently based with her husband and children.

After his three-year stay in Opoku Ware Senior High School, the artiste is excited to move on to greater heights.

The rapper was overjoyed when singer Malcom Nuna visited his school to be the first to deliver his congratulatory message.

This was to replicate the celebration Yaw Tog prepared for him when he completed Ghana National College last year.

“At long last,” Yaw Tog replied as he leaps to hug his friend in excitement.

Prior to writing his final paper and in anticipation of his completion, Yaw Tog told his fans he was putting in his last effort, warning his fans to desist from involving him in anything school-related after his papers.

The Sore hitmaker hinted that he has no plans of furthering his education as he has decided to divert all his attention to his music.

Despite being in school Yaw Tog managed to entertain Ghanaians with major back-to-back hit songs, alongside his Kumerican crew.

He can boast of two awards and an appearance on international platform, Tim Westwood TV where he delivered a praise-worthy freestyle.

Almost all Districts, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies in the region have recorded cases, thus contributing to the current 840 active cases with 260 deaths.

The increasing spate of Covid-19 positive cases has left health authorities distressed, especially by the outbreak of the disease in Senior High Schools.

“So far, we’ve had outbreaks in four Senior High Schools in Ashanti. But if the outbreak is in a congregate setting, then, it makes it more serious in the sense that all of them are together,” Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang, revealed to JoyNews.

“Even if one person is infected, it is likely that, it may spread to the whole school,” he added.

So far, the Ashanti Region has recorded the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants. The Delta variant is noted for its rapid spread.

“What is worrying is that we are having most of the outbreaks in Kumasi Metro and also secondary schools in the region and it’s a cause for worry,” Dr Tinkorang said.

He called for strict enforcement of safety protocols in schools among students and teachers to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Dr Tinkorang also mentioned blatant disregard for Covid-19 safety protocols, especially at funerals and public places as sources of spread of the virus. He noted that such attitudes do not only erode the gains made in the fight against Covid-19, but makes a third wave very likely in the region.

“One thing that is worrying is the way we organise the funerals in Ashanti. If you go round the whole region, you realise that the community has totally disregarded all the protocols and the guidelines that we’ve given.  That’s the area we need to focus,” he said.

The Regional Health Director wants funerals to be supervised by health authorities and the Police henceforth.

The suggestion comes as the Ghana Health Service draws up modalities on how funerals should be organised in the midst of the pandemic.

Whilst blaming public apathy, Dr Tinkorang said continued disregard for Covid-19 safety protocols, especially at funerals, can lead to what he described as super spreaders.

“One thing we shouldn’t forget is that funerals are still banned in this country. We have decided that any funeral should be supervised by Police and then health authorities,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Dr Tinkorang wants all hands-on deck, to reintroduce interventions to prevent a third wave in the region.

According to the Ministry, part of the amount was released to the Buffer Stock Company, and the remaining sent to the headmasters of SHSs.

A statement, signed by the Chief Director, Benjamin Kofi Gyasi, explained this is to enable the heads of schools buy the perishable foodstuff needed.

The statement noted the funds were released on Friday, May 14, 2021.

The statement explained this payment follows an initial payment made for the first semester.

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“This follows payments made on the 28th April 2021, when a total of GHS102,350,871.20 was paid to the Buffer Stock Company and headmasters (for perishable) for the 1st semester,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, they have rejected claims that the Free Senior High School initiative is under stress.

Read the statement below:

President Nana Akufo-Addo has built Akrodie Science and Technology Senior High School (SHS) and the construction of Akrodie to Asumura-Sawreso road.

Akrodie Science and Technology SHS is one of the nine model schools in the sector across the country started last year and expected to be completed before September 2021.

Facilities at each school include Administration block, Creative Arts/Science block, dormitory blocks, dining hall with kitchen, staff accommodation, library block, recreational facilities, laboratories, roads and external works and a service and maintenance shed.

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The Acting President of Akrodie Traditional Council, Nana Darko Kuffour, who is also the Kontihene of Akrodie, updated his council on the steady progress of the school.

He applauded the President for his vision in ensuring proper secondary education for future leaders.

The release of the calendar comes on the back of President Akufo-Addo’s announcement of the reopening of schools for academic work to continue in his 21st Covid-19 update address to the nation on Sunday.

The President, among other things, detailed measures put in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.

“All SHS 1 students will start classes from 10th March, with all students embarking on a single-track academic calendar. Their seniors in SHS 2 and SHS 3 will, however, return to school from 18th January,” he announced.

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He also announced the cancellation of the double track system for SHS 3 and 1 students.

Per the calendar issued by GES, SHS and 1 students will have 1,080 and 1,440 contact hours respectively within two semesters.

SHS 2 students who will still be on the gold and green track will both have 1,440 contact hours.

Find details as released by the Ghana Education Service below:

“I must stress that SHS 3 students in all schools, like SHS 1 students, will no longer run the double-track system” he said during his 21st update on measures taken to curb the spread of coronavirus in Ghana.

However, the President noted that the double-track system will however still be applicable to SHS 2 students in schools that are employing it.

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The policy was run in schools that are in high demand across the country as the government works to improve infrastructure. It was meant to ease student pressure on some public schools.

But President Akufo-Addo said government is ending the double-track system due to the expansion of infrastructure at the various Senior High Schools over the last three years.

Kwabena Prince was found hanging behind the kitchen of his family house on Wednesday dawn.

He was said to have been rebuked by his mother for engaging in gambling with some gangs in the town and this, he did not take kindly and therefore decided to take his life.

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A family source at Asonomaso said the student, after the confrontation with her mother, became angry and left the house.

The source said he came back to the house in the evening and after eating, they all went to bed.

They woke up at dawn to see the deceased hanging from the roof of his mother’s kitchen with a nylon rope tied to his neck.

The police at Asonomaso have conveyed the body to the mortuary for autopsy while investigations continue.

In a statement to Parliament Tuesday, he said the Free SHS programme, the double-track system among other initiatives have been successful to the extent that “our opponents are making a U-turn and promising a review of the programme if they win power in the 2020 elections, except they have failed to specifically say what aspect they will review, and to what end and purpose.”

The Minister said the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) failed to pay for its progressively free education programme before they left office.

This shortfall, according to the Minister has been paid by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“It is also instructive to note, that under the Progressively Free SHS policy touted by the NDC when it was in government, they left arrears of GHC 30,120,552.00 in respect of the 2015/16 academic year when the programme started with day students only. That has since been paid by the Akufo-Addo led government,” he said.

Dr Opoku Premeh further noted that capitation grant saw an increment from ¢4.5 per student per year to ¢10.0 per student per year in the 2017/2018 academic year.

The 122% increase in per capita Capitation Grant has contributed to removing the cost barriers to free access and provide schools with minimum amount of funds required to keep schools running.

In 2013, less than 2% of Primary 2 students could read, a situation he believes has improved under government’s watch.

He criticised the former government for discontinuing teacher allowances which the NPP government has restored.

But Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu says the minister should have used the statement to tell the house what is being done ensure schools resume normally post Covid-19 lockdown.

“That for me would have been a major public policy priority issue. To keep the Ghanaian abreast of how he is addressing, particularly the disparities and inadequacies,” he said.

The so called ‘Saito’ schools… don’t have the opportunity to learn whiles at home while under Covid. Minister, that must engage your priority attention in order that you’ll be resolving a necessary disparity in the provision of education and quality education to Ghanaian children in private schools against Ghanaian students in public schools.

Mr Iddrisu challenged the minister’s claim that the education sector is in a better shape today than what the NDC left. He explained that assertions that the NPP administration had paid what has been described as ‘legacy arrears’ owed some stakeholders in the sector are unfounded.

“We will commend you. But go and deal with it holistically. When you met with the teacher unions, their figure was GHS10,000. Your GES figure was 2,500.

You resolved only GHS2,500 and you come tell parliament that you have dealt with all legacy arrears. There is still outstanding,” he added.

The Minority leader also said payments for book and research allowances are yet to be expedited by government

According to the students, writing the paper on a Sabbath Day will be against their religious beliefs as Adventists.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, one of the students justified their decision.

He explained that per their belief and doctrines, the Sabbath day was a holy day that must be kept as such therefore they couldn’t write an examination on such a day.

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He quoted the book of Exodus, 20:8-11 from the Bible to support their action, saying:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

He served notice that he and his colleagues would boycott any other examinations that are scheduled to be written on a Saturday, be they core or elective subjects.

Meanwhile, an elder of the SDA church at Asante Agona, Elder Amofa commended the students for what he described as “their bold decision”.

“I’m extremely happy for the bold decision taken by these young boys. I’m proud of them and God will bless them,” he added.

The SDA elder bemoaned how the leadership of the church has not been able to fight for their rights and ensure Saturday, which is Sabbath is observed as such.

“The leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist Church has failed us; they should lead such campaign to ensure the work of God is protected,” he added.

Elder Kwabena Amofa said he will be forced to call for their resignation if nothing is done to change the status quo.

The affected final year students of Tweneboa Kodua SHS,Sekondi College, Battor SHS and Juaben SHS have also been barred from writing their remaining papers.

Three teachers from Tweneboa Kodua SHS, Kade SHS and Sekondi College have also been interdicted and barred from invigilating the WASSCE pending investigations.

In a statement copied to Adomonline.com, the Director-General of Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa said the sanctions is to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Education Service has also directed the dismissed students to leave their respective campuses with immediate effect and all students in schools where properties were destroyed surcharged.

Their results are to be withheld until the students make full payment of the properties damaged.

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It also urged school authorities to report all acts of vandalism and criminal acts to the police for further investigations.

Below is the full statement

Dr Prince Armah, who is also the ruling New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for Kwesimintsim constituency in the Western Region insists the violence and lawlessness cannot be blamed on government policy to remove cost implications and increase access to secondary education under the free SHS programme.

He observed that the isolated incidents of violence are largely from students who are unprepared for the WAEC exams and may be looking for a quick fix.

He was speaking on Ekosiisen, a late afternoon political talk show programme on Asempa FM on Thursday 6th August, 2020.

While conceding that some of the students may not be academically prepared for WASSCE, he was quick to add that government’s objective for the free SHS policy is not just to have students write and pass WASSCE but to mould a new breed of SHS students with critical thinking skills.

“What we are seeing is that there are pockets of violence [by people] who themselves [cannot write the university entrance WASCCE]. Remember that we have opened up the combined aggregate to include others who would have otherwise gone to vocational training but are now in secondary school, Dr Armah said adding, “these are people who would originally not have writen the WASSCE but are now writing it and they feel uncomfortable.

He explained that “for the government, the value of Free SHS is not in students merely writing and passing examinations but rather in them gaining the skills necessary to be responsible citizens who are critical thinkers, effective communicators and problem solvers. This is what they need to be of benefit to society and to become assets in the workplace.”

Background

In a week where prayers were said for the first batch of the free SHS students to write and pass their WASSCE, some of them have taken to violence arising from frustration, some believe, at their inability to bend the rules governing their exams.

As a result, there have been pockets of vandalism in some schools including Bright Senior High School in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region, Tweneboa Kodua SHS in the Ashanti Region and some schools in the Northern region as well.

Vice President of NAGRAT Angel Carbonu in condemning the lawlessness of the students blamed government’s decision to provide past questions to the students which he said raised the hopes of the students to think that the past questions will be automatically repeated in the ongoing WASSCE.

He also blamed what he said is government’s high handedness with head teachers in a bid to implement the FREE SHS which he claimed has engendered impunity among students.

But in a response, Dr Prince Armah, a noted expert in education policy, said Mr Carbonu’s arguments are untenable.

He said past questions have always been part of the structure of education in Ghana and across the world.

“It is in Ghana that past questions are difficult to find; in other countries they are available online to be downloaded,” he said.

He added that government’s policy is to remove the cost barriers in school in order to make it accessible for all and that is why it decided to buy past questions for all the students.

He said it was the responsibility of the teachers to guide the students in studying the past questions as well as their text books and prepare them for the exams.

He found it intriguing that government would rather be blamed for taking the step to make things easier for parents and the kids as well.

He also dismissed assertions government has been high handed with head masters.

“Holding teachers accountable cannot undermine the authority of the teachers and compromise discipline in schools,” he added.

Dr Bernard Oko-Boye’s statement comes after some people expressed concern about students in some schools including the Accra Girls Senior High school who tested positive for coronavirus barely a week after reopening.

Parents who were anxious about the news had rushed to these schools to withdraw their wards until they were assured of their kids’ safety by school authorities.

But delivering a statement to Parliament on behalf of the Health Minister Thursday, Covid-19, Dr Oko-Boye stated that most SHS students who tested positive have recovered.

He stated that they have joined their colleagues to write the West African Certificate Examination (WASSCE) which began on Monday.

“Thanks to the health workers took care of these cases and ensured reintegration back to school.”

“We trust that arrangement put in place by Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ministry of Education will help cater for students to through their exams,” he said.

Currently, with about39,642 recorded cases nationwide, 199 people have died after contracting the novel coronavirus.

“This statistics notwithstanding it is imperative to preach compliance to Covid-19 protocols since every death means everything to the bereaved and Ghana.

“The country needs its citizens alive, hence, the need to protect ourselves,” Dr Oko-Boye added.

He stated that government will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure an adequate supply of PPEs at hospitals and schools to ensure the protection of the students.

The paper, as part of the ongoing West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is expected to be taken on August 3.

According to WAEC, “a scrutiny of the images being shared on social media indicates once again, the activities of certain individuals mainly operators of rogue websites and WhatsApp groups aimed at leading candidates astray and discrediting the Council.”

“The Council is very vigilant and has alerted the BNI, CID and the National Security about the threats posed by these groups. The Council assures all its stakeholders that it has put in place all the necessary measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020,” WAEC said.

In a statement signed by Head of Public Affairs, Agnes Teye-Cudjoe, WAEC urged candidates to focus on the examinations and adhere to all Covid-19 protocols as the Council does its part to ensure a successful process in the face of the pandemic.

Schools reported to have lost a student since the reopening include; KNUST SHS, Anglo SHS, Mamfe Methodist Girls’ SHS and Oyoko Methodist SHS in the Eastern Region.

Reports have it that the second year female student, whose name is not yet known, was writing her Literature in English exams when she collapsed.

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She complained of abdominal pains for about three days, Accra-based radio station, Starr FM reported.

The General Arts student was held at the school’s sickbay where she was treated and cleared to participate in the end-of-term exams.

The student was expected to be on vacation, starting today, Friday July 31.

The causes of the death of these students are reported not to be related to Covid-19, but there however, are some doubts about that.

At least 375,000 final year students are back in school to write their West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination.

More than 180,000 second-year students on the Gold Track also returned to wirite their promotional examinations.

A press statement addressing the issue said there is no intent to increase to four years the JHS period and reduce SHS to two years in the 2020/2021 academic year.

“NaCCA wishes to state emphatically that with the planned implementation process of the Common Core Programme in the next academic year, the duration for both JHS and SHS will remain three years each,” it said.

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Read full statement below:

Two are currently on admission at the treatment centre and the other two isolated in their school, while six out of the 24 Health workers, who also tested positive have also recovered and the remaining 18 in self- isolation.

Dr Boakye Boateng, Ahafo Regional Director of the Health who confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani explained that five of the cases were recorded from a school at the Tano South, where two of the patients were discharged with one on admission at the treatment centre and the other two in isolation in their school.

He said at Tano North, all the four Covid-19 students had recovered and were discharged, while at Kenyasi in the Asutifi North, one case was recorded and was isolated at a health centre.

Dr Boateng said measures were in place to inform parents whose wards tested positive to cooperate with the health officials to offer psychosocial support and build the capacity of school counsellors to support the work of the health directorate and the Assemblies.

He said issues were diplomatically carried out to prevent parents from rushing into the schools for their wards.

Dr Boateng called on the public, particularly students to adhere to the safety protocols to curtail the spread of the virus.

Additionally, the caucus also wants government to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for teachers and students to co-exist on the various campuses.

“Although education is very important you need to be alive first, before you can learn,” Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ranking Member of the Health Committee of Parliament, made the call.

His call was in reaction to the measures being put in place by government for the final year SHS students as they get back to campus.

Mr Akandoh also explained that though some of the final year students have reported back to their schools, nothing had been put in place to prevent the students from getting the coronavirus disease.

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He said since the students and teachers were coming from various destinations to congregate at one place, it was important, government followed Parliament’s example to put in place measures to do the mass testing.

“We were of the opinion that government was going to do mass testing because students and teachers are coming from various destinations to congregate, therefore I thought that as was done in parliament, government was going to put in place measures to do mass-testing,” he added.

Mr Akandoh also criticized the government for putting the lives of the students at risk because some of them who reported to campus were without facemask and hand sanitizers, which he said put them at high risk of getting the disease.

“Again, I believe we have seen students without facemask and hand sanitizers and are shocked that the whole government would subject the people of this country to such a high risk,” Mr Akandoh said.

He slammed members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for flouting the Covid-19 safety protocols, which he described as highly unfortunate, at their just-ended parliamentary primaries.

He said some people have been prosecuted for flouting the Covid-19 safety protocols, asserting that they were yet to see anybody being prosecuted for violating the safety protocols during the NPP parliamentary primaries.

“You have seen it for yourselves, people hugging, people fighting and a lot of them without facemask,” he said.

Mr Akandoh also alleged that the country’s health facilities, especially the treatment centres have been overwhelmed by the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

He called on government to expedite action on the completion of a Covid-19 treatment centre at Korle-bu, which he said had been abandoned.

“It looks as if we are taking things for granted and the numbers are still rising. It is very dangerous and the earlier government took the protocols serious, the better it would be for all of us,” he said.

According to her, though the government is already supporting schools with Personal Protective Equipment, the Trust Fund will offer additional support to the schools.

She disclosed this while receiving donations from institutions at the secretariat at the Jubilee House.

She pledged the government’s commitment to ensure the safety of the students while in school so that they don’t return home with the virus to infect others.

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The groups that brought the donations were Church of Christ, Avic International Holding Corporation, a Chinese company that donated 12, 000 pieces of facemask, 140 pieces of goggles and 100 packs of hand gloves.

Others included the Mushroom Growers and Exporters, Transit Cargo Limited, Universal Pan African Coalition of Ghana in collaboration with the Diaspora Affairs and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority.

In their opinion, such a move would help those infected by the virus to be isolated and treated.

The heads of Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Bono region made the suggestion during a fumigation exercise by Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL). The exercise is a collaboration between Ghana Education Service and ZGL, and it is aimed at dealing with bed-bugs infestation in the schools.

The eight-day exercise began on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 and is expected to cover about 64 SHSs in the various districts across the region.

Some of the schools, which were covered on the first day, included John Bosco Vocational Technical, Notre Dame SHS, Secret Heart SHS, Nsutre Vocational Institute, Brekum Presbyterian SHS and Brekum SHS.

Others were Methodist SHS, All For Christ SHS, Wamanafo Senior Technical High School, Mansen SHS, ST. Augustine’s Senior High, Berekum, Star Business SHS and Gyinigyini SHS.

The second day (Wednesday, May 15, 2020) saw schools including Our Lady of Providence SHS, Drobo SHS, Hidaaya Islamic SHS, Awasuman SHS and Nkrankwanta Community among others.

In an interview with the media, the Assistant Headmaster in-charge of Administration of Mansen SHS, Oppong Takyi, indicated that testing students for COVID-19 will prevent the spread of the virus, especially as those infected will easily be identified and quarantined for treatment.

That, he further said, will not create fear and panic amongst the student body in the various SHSs across the country.

He described the fumigation exercise as ‘timely,’ adding that it will help a great deal to rid the school of bed-bugs and their attendant health implications.

According to him, his school has had to battle with bed-bugs over the past years, albeit with little success.

“In our effort to deal with the bugs, the school sometimes engages people to spray its facilities. Unfortunately, this does not last long as in some cases just after two weeks of the exercise we are caught up again having to battle with bed-bugs,” the head of Mansen SHS said.

Against this backdrop, Mr Takyi commended Zoomlion and GES for the initiative.

He, however, made a fervent appeal for the exercise to be conducted frequently.

“I thank GES and Zoomlion for this exercise… and I am hopeful that it will bring the bed-bugs infestation in the school under control and also kill harmful insects which sometimes find their way to the school compound,” he expressed.

What is more, he said with the fumigation of the school, teaching and learning will be conducted in a conducive environment when the school re-opens.

For his part, the Headmaster of Wamanafo Secondary Technical High School, Thomas Asante Armstrong, who also shared in the suggestion of testing students when schools re-open, however, said his school was bedeviled with serious infrastructure issues.

He lamented that his school could not even boast of a staff common room for the tutors, revealing that “my teachers have been sitting under a tree and using the place as a staff common room.”

Furthermore, he disclosed that his school was grappling with the issue of congestion. This, he noted, was widespread in the classrooms and with the few dormitories that they have.

He, therefore appealed to the ministry of education to come to their aid.

The Headmaster of St Augustine’s SHS, Berekum, Reverend Father Hubert Asante, was full of praise for GES and Zoomlion.

He called for the fumigation exercise to be done at least every three months, insisting that that will deal effectively with the issue of bed-bugs in the schools across the country.

The exercise saw classrooms, dining halls, dormitories, student mattresses, administration blocks, sick bays, staff members’ bungalows, etc., of the various schools fumigated.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, in April this year launched a nationwide exercise to fumigate and disinfect all SHSs in the country in a bid to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus and also deal with bed-bugs infestation.

The conversation started after a popular user on the micro blogging platform shared a photo of the device and asked for opinions on what it could be used for. To the shock of many, another twitter user gave a long list of how it’s used, including for abortions.

“Used to cook noodles, used to boil water, used as hair straightener, Used to abort pregnancy (If you know you know), Used to melt butter to oil,” She replied.

See screenshot below…

Another user asked for explanation on how it’s used. See her explanation below…