Extend break between JHS and SHS

Dear Editor,

I wish to use this column of your respected newspaper to appeal to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to consider bringing back the practice where students stayed home for some months after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Within that period where they stay home for some time and wait for their results, it afforded parents some time to prepare and save towards the next move in the academic life of their children.

In recent times, students are quickly admitted into Senior High School immediately after their examinations, leaving little time for parents and guardians to adequately prepare financially and emotionally for the next stage of their children’s education.

Many parents, therefore struggle to buy school items such as chop boxes, trunks, mattresses, uniforms and other necessities within the short period given.

This situation places pressure on families, especially those with low incomes.

Previously, the break after BECE allowed students to rest after years of academic work while parents and guardians made proper preparations for their wards.

It also gave students enough time to learn vocational skills, assist their families and mature before entering boarding school life.

Bringing back this period will greatly reduce stress on both parents and students and help ensure better preparation for Senior High School education.

And one other thing we have not taken notice of is that within that period, parents also prepare their children mentally and psychologically before they go to school. They are thought how to be independent.

So we see new secondary students displaying an appreciable level of maturity which is missing in this era where they go to senior high schools and still behave like primary school kids.

I hope the authorities will carefully consider this concern in the interest of students, parents and guardians across the country.

By Eugene Ampiaw,

Accra.