The Ghana Education Service (GES) has changed the reopening date for Senior High School (SHS) Form One students to September 25, 2023.

A letter signed by Prince C. Agyemang-Duah, Acting Director of the Schools and Instructions Division of the GES, has informed all regional directors and school heads of this adjustment. Previously, the students were expected to resume on September 18, 2023.

“By this letter, regional directors of education are requested to communicate this information to all heads of senior high and senior high technical schools to inform parents/guardians and students to take note of the new date and prepare accordingly,” it said.

Mr. Agyemang-Duah clarified the reason behind the date change, citing concerns related to the double track system. He noted that maintaining the original date could overwhelm schools due to the large number of students.

Moreover, he highlighted that as the final paper of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is slated for completion on September 26, the majority of the senior students would have already concluded their exams and departed from the school premises.

As a result, the number of final year students present on September 25 would be reduced, effectively resolving any accommodation concerns.

“So, after consultation with the Director-General of the GES, we agreed to shift the reopening date to September 25 to make room for the final year students to complete their examination,” he explained.

In January of this year, the Ghana Education Service (GES) unveiled the 2023 academic calendar for pre-tertiary institutions, encompassing kindergarten, primary, junior high, and senior high schools.

The Transitional Academic Calendar for Double Track Senior High Schools (SHSs) outlined that Form Three students were to complete 1,360 contact hours, while Form Two students were to engage in 1,200 hours, and Form One students were to have 1,080 hours.

According to this calendar, Form Three students were scheduled to return to school from January 10, 2023, until April 5, 2023, for the first term. Following this, they would enjoy a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023, with the second term commencing on April 17, 2023, and concluding on June 1, 2023.

The final year students were then expected to vacate from June 2, 2023, to June 8, 2023, while the third term was set to run from June 9, 2023, to September 15, 2023, marking the culmination of the academic year.

For Form Two students, their academic year commenced on January 10, 2023, and ran until February 17, 2023. Subsequently, they had a break from February 18, 2023, to April 10, 2023. The second term was scheduled from April 11, 2023, to June 1, 2023, followed by a vacation from June 2, 2023, to August 11, 2023. The third term was set to start from August 14, 2023, and conclude on November 30, 2023, marking the end of the academic year.

As for all Form One students, their academic calendar initially spanned from February 20, 2023, to April 13, 2023, with a break from April 14, 2023, to June 8, 2023. The second term was slated to begin on June 9, 2023, and last until August 10, 2023, with a break from August 11, 2023, to September 17, 2023. The third term was originally planned for September 18, 2023, to November 30, 2023, concluding the academic year.

In the case of single-track schools, Form Three students were expected to complete 1,360 contact hours, Form Two students 1,280 contact hours, and Form One students 1,120 contact hours. Form Three students' first term started on January 10, 2023, and ended on April 5, 2023, with a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023. The second term was scheduled from April 17, 2023, to June 1, 2023. Following this, they had another break from June 2, 2023, to June 8, 2023, before commencing the third term from June 9, 2023, to September 15, 2023, marking the academic year's conclusion.

On the other hand, Form Two students' first term began on January 10, 2023, and ran until April 5, 2023, followed by a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023. Their second term was set to start from August 17, 2023, and end on August 25, 2023.

For Form One students in single-track schools, their first term was planned from February 20, 2023, to April 5, 2023, with a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023. The second term was scheduled from April 17, 2023, to September 15, 2023.