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Final year, Form 2 SHS students return to school
Final year Senior High School (SHS) students have started returning to school in various parts of the country to enable them commence with their academic work.
The students who are mostly in their final year will also be preparing for the final West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
A visit by the Ghanaian Times to some of the schools in Accra revealed that a sizeable number of students had returned to school.
In line with the measures as outlined by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the schools have also taken delivery of quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
At the Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School in Kaneshie, students were seen receiving their masks and sanitisers and this was after they had been screened with an infrared thermometer, commonly known as thermometer gun.
A source who spoke to the Ghanaian Times said most students had returned to school and had been divided into a group of 25 each for the classes to commence on Tuesday.
At Accra Academy, the situation was the same as majority of students had returned and waiting for classes to commence today.
A manual on safety protocols prepared by the school had been shared to students who had reported.
Similarly, students had reported to school at the Kaneshie Senior High Technical School (KATECO).
As at the time of our visit, most of the students who had been supplied with their hygiene frills had closed from classes.
The Assistant Headmaster of KATECO explained that, because the students had stayed home for a while without effective teaching and learning, they had been advised to put in more effort in their studies in the six weeks’ period.
He added that, students were educated on the safety protocols on COVID-19, something he mentioned would continue until the students’ complete school.
A number of parents who spoke to the paper expressed confidence in the arrangement made by the school authorities regarding protocols on the COVID-19, and underscored that the return of students to school was very important.
Madam Cecelia Annor, a parent of a Gold track student at Accra Academy said, she was “glad students were going back to school”.
She further stated that, not all the students studied while home, so the six weeks would be helpful in their preparation to the 2020 WASCCE.
Meanwhile, students who had returned to school went about their activities without showing any signs of fear or panic.
Some students we spoke to told us that, they were ready for the exams and very optimistic of excelling.
From Koforidua, AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN reports that, schools in the Eastern Region reopened amidst strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Schools visited include, Ghana Senior High School, Oti Boateng SHS, and Koforidua Senior High Technical School and Pope John Senior High School.
It was observed by the paper that, Veronica buckets had been placed at vantage points at the entrance of the schools.
Students and teachers were also seen washing their hands and wearing nose masks while they were screened and their contacts taken before they were allowed to enter.
Speaking to the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Margaret Nsiah Asamoah said her outfit has received some PPEs from the government.
She said the items included Veronica buckets, thermometer guns, tissues, soaps among others, adding that the items would be shared to all schools in Koforidua.
FROM THE UPPER WEST REGION, LYDIA DARLINGTON FORDJOUR, reports that, students had started trickling into the various schools on the first day of reopening.
Checks by the Ghanaian Times at some SHS in the region showed that most teaching and non-teaching staff were already at post, awaiting the arrival of the students.
At the WA Senior High/Technical School, almost every staff had reported and was receiving their nose masks as well as bottles of hand sanitiser each from the school’s administration.
The headmaster for the school, Mr Ismail Salih told the paper that the school had received hand washing items as well as gun thermometers and PPEs from the education directorate in the region on Saturday.
Touching on isolation centres, Mr Salih said the school was still preparing a sick bay but had designated a dormitory to serve the purpose for the time being and encouraged parents to let their wards report to school.
At the Wa Senior High School, four Veronica buckets had been mounted at vantage points of the school while students who had reported were undergoing screening with an infrared thermometer before they were allowed entry into the school’s premises.
Checks at the Tupaso Senior High School, a private institution at WA revealed that few students had reported, although classes had been scheduled to commence today.
Handwashing facilities had been mounted at the entrance and other vantage points on the school compound.
In an interview with the Ghanaian Times, the Regional Director of Education, Mr Godfrey Gongyeru stated that the schools were ready to commence academic work, latest by Wednesday, irrespective of the CODVID-19 pandemic.
He assured parents that the school authorities and staff would endeavour to safeguard the wellbeing of the students.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
