President Akufo-Addo has announced the return to school of continuing students in some tertiary institutions across the country from August 24, 2020.
This is to ensure their completion of the year’s academic work as the country continues to ease restrictive protocols in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
Whilst most tertiary institutions in the country have completed their academic programmes for the 2019/21 academic years through online learning and exams, a few universities including the University of Cape Coast, the University of Health and Allied Sciences and the technical universities are yet to do so.
Addressing the nation for the 15th time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis in Ghana, the President said: “after extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school, on 24th August, to finish their academic year.”
The President on March 15 ordered the closure of all educational institutions including universities and senior and basic schools until further notice to curb the virus’ spread.
The President explained that the recall of the students will be conducted in a way that ensures the safety of the students as executed in other institutions which have completed the academic programmes for 2019/20.
“There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities,” he said.
“Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus.”
President Akufo-Addo also revealed that disinfection exercises will take place in the said institutions adding that “Universities will be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and those with their own hospitals and clinics will have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases.”
He added: “The Ministry of Education continues to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) and all relevant stakeholders to conclude discussions on the modalities surrounding the reopening of our pre-tertiary schools. I will communicate, in due course, the decisions that will be reached from these consultations.”