The Ghana Education Service (GES) has revised the reopening date for single-track senior high schools (SHSs) from March 29, 2025, to April 23, 2025.
This modification was communicated in a circular dated March 27, 2025, directed 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 GES, instructed regional directors to ensure that the information reaches all pertinent stakeholders.
“Regional education directors are hereby requested to notify all heads of single-track senior high and senior high technical schools to inform parents, guardians, and students about the updated date, so they can plan accordingly,” the notice stated.
Reason for the Rescheduling
Students were initially set to resume on March 29, 2025, following their break starting March 4. However, due to the Eid-Ul-Fitr public holidays on March 30 and 31, the reopening date was first pushed to April 1, 2025. Further discussions resulted in an extension to April 23, 2025.
The Ministry of the Interior released a statement explaining that, as Eid-Ul-Fitr falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025, the President, through an Executive Instrument (E.I.), declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, as additional public holidays.
“Given that March 30, 2025, is a Sunday and in the public interest, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I.), under 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, to be observed nationwide,” the statement read.
GES Explains Its Decision
GES Public Relations Officer Cassandra Twum-Ampofo clarified that reopening schools just before a series of public holidays would not be ideal, as it would expose students to unnecessary travel risks. “Monday and Tuesday were declared statutory holidays, and immediately afterward, there would be a break for Easter celebrations. It would not be prudent to have students traveling back and forth, given the risks involved,” she explained.
To ensure smooth academic sessions, GES management decided to revise the academic calendar.
In response to concerns about the impact of the delay on final-year students preparing for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Ms. Twum-Ampofo reassured that steps were in place to make up for lost instructional time.
“Additional instructional hours are always added to compensate for breaks like this,” she said, noting that holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Easter are unavoidable.
She further clarified that the change applies only to single-track SHSs, while double-track students will continue with their academic calendar as initially planned.
