Mr. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Education Committee, has endorsed the plea made by teacher unions for the government to reconsider the reopening date for first-year senior high school (SHS) students nationwide.
During an interview on the Class Morning Show on Class 91.3 FM, Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe highlighted the strain on teachers since the inception of the double-track system in 2018, emphasizing the need for their well-deserved rest.
He echoed concerns about parents facing undue pressure to prepare their children for school if the proposed reopening date of December 4, 2023, is maintained, citing the limited time available for adequate preparation.
Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe expressed his alignment with the teacher unions’ stance, suggesting that pushing the reopening date to the first week of January 2024 would be a more viable option.
The MP raised the issue of potential traveling risks for students going home for Christmas holidays shortly after reporting to school on December 4. He advocated for a more practical approach, stating, “They can go to school the first week of January; that is better.”
Notably, pre-tertiary teacher unions had previously conveyed their reservations about the tight schedule following the release of the Computerised Schools Selection Process (CSSP) on November 28, 2023. In a joint letter to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), they highlighted the impracticality of the proposed reporting and reopening dates, emphasizing the strain it would place on students, staff, and parents.
The unions specifically pointed out the challenge of students going home for Christmas holidays shortly after reporting to school, terming it an “undue burden.” They urged the GES to reconsider and make adjustments to the dates, emphasizing the need for a more reasonable timeframe that allows for meaningful rest for both teaching and non-teaching staff.
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