The Ghana Education Service (GES) has reaffirmed that the reporting date for first-year students remains December 4, 2023.

This is despite concerns from wards and stakeholders that this does not provide ample time for students to prepare for the academic year.

This confirmation follows a request from Parliament for the Minister of Education to reconsider the reopening date, suggesting the first week of January.

Per the academic calendar, schools are expected to take a Christmas break from December 21 to January 3 next year and continue academic work till March 5, 2024.

In a statement, the Parliamentary Service acknowledged the short notice and the inconvenience it posed to students, parents, teaching and non-teaching staff.

However, the Ghana Education Service issued a statement on Saturday, December 2 reiterating its stance.

"It is the expectation of management that schools begin registration and orientation of students from the 4th of December 2023," GES said.

The GES urged schools to initiate the necessary processes on the stipulated date including prospective students undergoing self-placement.

The GES added that per the academic calendar, there would be a Christmas break on the 21st of December 2023 and resume on the 3rd of January to continue academic work till March 5th 2024.