The Minister of Education, Alex Tettey-Enyo, says the 3-year educational programme will be implemented in the 2010/2011 academic year after government has amended the section of the Education Act-778, which provides the legal bases for a 4-year senior high school education. At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, he said contrary to recent claims, cabinet has directed the Ministry of Education to start the 3-year secondary education policy during the next academic year. This, he added, will afford the government enough time to draw up the modalities necessary for the smooth implementation of the programme, taking into consideration the infrastructural, financial and curriculum implications. “I wish to assure all of you that before the commencement of the 2010/2011 academic year, all the requirements will be put in place to address challenges associated with the changeover,” he assured. Touching on this year’s BECE saga, the minister said his outfit is in consultation with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and WAEC to see to the re-sit of the failed students as soon as possible. He noted however that the cumulative nature of BECE results makes it impossible for them to rewrite as private candidates. Students who failed will have to go back to their various schools and rewrite with the candidates of the next academic year after going through the normal BECE registration process. Mr. Tettey-Enyo also mentioned that placement results for qualified candidates are expected to be available by the 28th of September, adding that candidates will be able to access their placement results via sms on all networks or at the official website of WAEC. “In this regard, the GES requires the co-operation of the general public for a smooth and fair placement exercise for 2009, and no request for changes in placement will be granted,” he emphasized. The Education Ministry is currently inviting bids to award contracts for the production of textbooks for this academic year. Printex Ghana Limited is to produce specific fabric for the production of about 1.6 million school uniforms for pupils in 57 deprived districts, at the cost of 11.7 million. Government has also abandoned the One Laptop per Household project which was proposed by the previous administration as part of their efforts to enhance IT education in schools. Source: Daily Guide