Restore pre-tertiary academic calendar – Haruna to WAEC, GES

“Restore pre-tertiary academic calendar” is the latest charge to the Ghana Education Service (GES) from the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu. The minister has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to work with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in restoring the pre-tertiary school academic calendar to its original pre-COVID schedule.

Prior to the pandemic, the academic calendar ran from September to July, allowing for a structured timeline where the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) preceded the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this schedule, leading to annual adjustments that have hindered the smooth transition of students between educational levels.

“I am using this platform to reiterate our strong desire to see the restoration of the academic calendar for both the BECE and WASSCE to its pre-COVID schedule,” Mr Iddrisu emphasised.

Expressing concern over the impact of the disrupted calendar, the minister noted, “We are not particularly happy that since COVID, our academic calendar has affected the seamless transition of students to the next layer of their career development.”

He stressed the importance of GES and WAEC working together to align the academic calendar with the broader West African education system.

“GES and WAEC must work together to restore an acceptable calendar, one that is in sync with the rest of the West African system,” Hon. Iddrisu urged. Restoring the academic calendar would provide stability and predictability, enabling students to progress without unnecessary delays.

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The minister’s call was made at the WAEC Distinction Awards ceremony, underscoring the need for a consistent academic schedule that supports educational development across Ghana and the West African region.

Will the “Restore pre-tertiary academic calendar” be followed, and what are the likely implications?

If the pre-tertiary academic calendar is restored, it will not only impact the academic calendar but also the months in which the BECE and WASSCE for school candidates are administered by WAEC. This will also ensure that the WASSCE is written before the BECE each year. It is expected that the directive from the Minister of Education will be adhered to and a new calendar will be announced before schools vacate in July this year.