Educationists have been unanimous in their call for government not to rush in reopening schools in the wake of increasing cases of Covid-19. 

Key among them is the president and founder of Ashesi University, Dr Patrick Awuah who is urging government not to allow students to go back to school.

According to him, reopening schools at the time the country is battling a global pandemic poses a greater risk to students and teachers. 

“I will not attempt to open now. I will wish to wait till September to give us the understanding on how to deal with the virus and to also take preparatory steps in getting schools ready to receive students,” he stated.

Dr Awuah proposed that government cancels the disrupted term to allow various stakeholders adequately prepare and ensure safety measures are instituted in schools across the country.

“Opening schools now is very difficult and probably should not be attempted. We should just say we have lost the third term of the academic year,” he suggested.

Dr Patrick Awuah made these comments on an education policy forum on Prime Morning on the Joy Prime channel. 

The discussion was focused on how to create a safe environment for education in the midst of a pandemic. 

He also said a plan be instituted in generating WASSCE grades for students in their final year using their continuous assessment.

Also contributing to the discussion, Professor Emeritus of Ashesi University, Stephen Adei called for a modified approach to reopening of schools.

He wants only final year students back to school as the government monitors what it will take to allow full resumption of the educational institutions.

Former Education Minister, Prof. Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang feels the government should prioritise public schools when planning to reopen schools as well as bridge the inequality gap that exists between schools in the rural and urban centres.

She also indicated that the pandemic presents the government an opportunity to plan for both medium and long terms in dealing with future pandemics.

Meanwhile, teachers unions will on Tuesday May 26, meet President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House as government continues to hold stakeholder-engagement on a possible reopening of schools.