The Ghana Education Service (GES) has rescheduled the reopening date for single-track senior high schools (SHSs) from March 29, 2025, to April 23, 2025.

This change was outlined in a circular dated March 27, 2025, and addressed to all regional education directors. The letter, signed by Prince C. Agyeman-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instructions Division, on behalf of the Acting Director-General of the GES, directed regional directors to ensure the information reaches all relevant stakeholders.

“By this letter, regional directors of education are requested to communicate this information to all heads of single-track senior high and senior high technical schools to inform parents, guardians, and students to take note of the new date and prepare accordingly,” the statement read.

Reason for the rescheduling

Students were originally scheduled to resume on March 29, 2025, following their vacation on March 4. However, due to the Eid-Ul-Fitr public holidays on March 30 and 31, the reopening was initially pushed to April 1, 2025. Further considerations led to the extension to April 23, 2025.

A statement from the Ministry of the Interior explained that Eid-Ul-Fitr falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and as a result, the President, through an Executive Instrument (E.I.), had declared Monday, March 31, 2025, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as additional public holidays.

“However, in view of the fact that 30th March 2025 falls on a Sunday and in the interest of the public, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I.), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601), declared Monday, March 31, 2025, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as additional public holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the statement said.

GES clarifies decision

Confirming the change, Cassandra Twum-Ampofo of the GES Public Relations Unit explained that reopening schools just before a series of holidays would not be ideal, as it would subject students to unnecessary travel risks.

“Monday and Tuesday had been declared as statutory holidays, and just after they returned, there would be a break for Easter celebrations. It would not be prudent to allow students to be travelling back and forth, considering the risks involved,” she explained.

To ensure a smooth instructional period, the GES management decided to shift the academic calendar.

When asked about the impact of the delay on final-year students preparing for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Ms Twum-Ampofo assured that measures were in place to compensate for lost instructional time.

“There is always an instructional hour added to make up for breaks of this nature,” she said, noting that holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Easter are unavoidable.

“So, it is also not something new. The only thing is that we didn’t want the situation whereby when they come, just Monday, Tuesday, there’s a holiday, and then there is also an Easter break,” she emphasized.

She further clarified that the adjustment applies only to single-track SHSs, as double-track students remain unaffected and will continue their academic calendar as planned.