The Minority in Parliament is mounting pressure on government to shut all senior high school (SHS) across the country following recorded cases of COVID-19 in some schools.
According to the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament's Committee on Education, Dr Clement Apaak, students, teachers and staff of the various SHS are currently living in fears over the Covid-19 infections.
The call follows the confirmation by the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service that a total of six students, a teacher and spouse in the Accra Girls’ Senior High School have tested positive for Covid-19 and the death of a student of KNUST Senior High School in the Ashanti Region.
Following the confirmation, some parents and guardians stormed the Accra Girls SHS to remove their wards from the school after over fear of Covid-19 infections.
But speaking to Joy News on the back of the agitations and alleged non-compliance with Covid-19 protocols, the Builsa South MP said the only solution to prevent wider spread of the virus among students is closure of the schools.
“Government is refusing to listen to common firm arguments that is in the interest of protecting our future leaders.
"Now that we know that some campuses have recorded cases of Covid-19, it is right for government to shut down the schools,” he stressed.
He also entreated government to postpone the writing of exams for all final year students to 2021 as adopted by some countries within the sub-region to curtail spread of the virus.
“Government opened schools for the students to prepare for the their exams, and even at the time the cases count was a little over 12,000 now we have over 21,000 cases count, for this we [Minority] believe, parents believe and teacher unions believe that the motive for which schools were reopened cannot be achieved.
“First of all students are not in the right frame of mind, parents are anxious and teachers are fearful. How then can the students study and prepare adequately for the examination?” he quizzed.
Dr Clement Apaak also called on government to undertake mass testing of students and teachers before they reunite with their families at home.
Latest Stories
-
Ejisu by-election: NPP will win with a clear margin – Nana B
10 mins -
Ejisu by-election: Police will be heavily present to maintain law and order – EC
18 mins -
3 confirmed dead in Ejisu-Konongo Highway collision, 1 injured
2 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku gets assist as Leicester City beat Preston to win Championship title
2 hours -
Child’s right advocate criticises state’s handling of ‘victim’ in alleged child marriage case
2 hours -
NPP has created 2.1m jobs in seven years – Bawumia
3 hours -
Akosombo Dam spillage: We’re considering a class action suit against government – Ablakwa
3 hours -
Government offers teacher unions about 70% increment in continuous professional development allowance
3 hours -
Everyone must show interest in depleting pension funds – Pensions Expert
3 hours -
African Business Heroes: African SMEs ready to compete for a share of $1.5m grant
3 hours -
My government will partner with faith-based groups in development – Bawumia
4 hours -
Joy Prime’s Prime Morning to host show at sea in May Day celebration with Ghana Navy
4 hours -
Why increase contribution rate when you can’t manage what is given to you? – NAGRAT asks SSNIT
4 hours -
There are greener pastures in Ghana – Prof Owusu-Dabo
6 hours -
Myjoyonline Interview with Abubakar Tahiru: Guinness World Record Holder for ‘Most Trees Hugged In An Hour’
6 hours