The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced a series of measures to address concerns regarding school practices, funding, and the recent reporting date for first-year Senior High School (SHS) students.
Cracking Down on Malpractice:
- The MoE has declared that it will investigate all reported instances of unauthorized practices in schools, including issuing unofficial prospectuses to new students.
- The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has emphasized that practices such as not printing examination papers for students, not organizing mock exams, and requesting students to write exams in their textbooks are not approved by the Ministry.
- He assured Parliament that heads of schools found to condone such practices will face appropriate sanctions.
Addressing Capitation Grant Arrears:
- The government has released GH¢20 million to settle outstanding capitation grants for public basic schools.
- This follows earlier payments of GH¢15 million in May 2023, clearing a portion of the arrears.
- The Ministry of Finance has processed an additional GH¢4.2 million of this year’s capitation grant for disbursement.
- This move aims to improve access to education and support school performance improvement efforts in basic schools.
Defending SHS Reporting Date:
- Dr. Adutwum explained the reasoning behind the December 4th reporting date for first-year SHS students, despite concerns raised by stakeholders.
- He highlighted that over 81% of students received their desired placements, minimizing concerns about unresolved placements.
- He also emphasized the development of a National harmonized prospectus, providing parents with ample time to prepare for the school year.
- Additionally, he addressed concerns regarding teacher fatigue, stating that additional staff have been employed since the introduction of the double-track calendar, ensuring adequate rest for teachers between tracks.
These announcements demonstrate the Ministry of Education’s commitment to improving educational standards and addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders. The measures implemented aim to promote fair practices, ensure adequate funding for schools, and create a better learning environment for students at all levels.