The Ghana Education Service (GES) has revised the reopening date for single-track senior high schools (SHSs), moving it from March 29, 2025, to April 23, 2025.
This adjustment was communicated in a circular dated March 27, 2025, addressed to all regional education directors. Signed by Prince C. Agyeman-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instructions Division, on behalf of the Acting Director-General of GES, the letter instructed regional directors to ensure the information reaches all relevant stakeholders. "Regional directors are requested to inform the heads of all single-track senior high and senior high technical schools so that parents, guardians, and students can prepare accordingly," the statement read.
Reason for the Rescheduling
Students were initially set to resume on March 29, 2025, after their break began on March 4. However, due to the Eid-Ul-Fitr public holidays on March 30 and 31, the reopening was first shifted to April 1, 2025. After further deliberations, it was extended to April 23, 2025.
A statement from the Ministry of the Interior clarified that Eid-Ul-Fitr falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Consequently, the President, through an Executive Instrument (E.I.), declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as additional public holidays.
"Since March 30 falls on a Sunday, and considering public interest, His Excellency, the President of Ghana, has, through an Executive Instrument (E.I.), in line with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601), designated March 31 and April 1, 2025, as additional public holidays," the statement noted.
GES Clarifies the Decision
Confirming the adjustment, Cassandra Twum-Ampofo of the GES Public Relations Unit explained that reopening just before a series of holidays would be impractical, as it would expose students to unnecessary travel risks.
"Monday and Tuesday were declared statutory holidays, and shortly after, there would be an Easter break. It wouldn’t be wise to have students traveling back and forth so frequently," she explained.
To maintain a smooth academic schedule, GES management opted to shift the calendar.
Regarding concerns about the impact on final-year students preparing for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Ms. Twum-Ampofo reassured that measures were in place to compensate for the lost instructional time.
"Instructional hours are always adjusted to make up for such breaks," she said, adding that holidays like Eid-Ul-Fitr and Easter are inevitable.
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