The Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak, has demanded that the Ministry of Education makes known, the reopening date for public basic schools in the country.

In a statement sighted by MyJoyOnline.com, on WhatsApp, Dr. Apaak noted that disclosing the reopening date for public basic schools is necessary because private basic schools resumed teaching and learning today, January 10.

“We don’t know exactly when public basic schools will reopen. Today, January 10, 2022, Private Basic schools have reopened. When will public basic schools reopen, we need to know.”

According to him, the country’s education at the basic level is in crisis. The MP for Builsa South revealed that in 2021, about 44,000 out of 284,000 basic school teachers left the teaching profession.

“This is 15%, the highest in 20 years. Why did they walk away from the classroom, and how soon will they be replaced?” he quizzed.

Dr. Apaak has alleged that the Capitation Grant is in arrears for four tranches (2 each for 2019/2020 & 2020/2021 academic years).

Heads of schools, he said resorted to borrowing in order to keep the schools running.

“When will the arrears be paid? No textbooks in our Public Basic schools two years after the implementation of the new standard-based curriculum” he added.