Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Education

The Ministry of Education has announced the criteria for the partial reopening of schools due to the coronavirus pandemic as announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 10th address to the nation last Sunday.

Final year students from Junior High School, Senior High School and the Universities are set to return to schools to prepare for their exit examinations.

However, non-final year students from both private and public schools will continue to comply with the COVID-19 closure directive until further notice.

The conditions for the reopening of the schools include disinfection of all educational institutions (public and private) and the provision of wash facilities for the returning final year students.

These were contained in an education update presented by the Minister for Education, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh.

Schools are expected to provide washable and reusable facemasks for all students and staff and the number of students per class reduced by splitting the classes.

In order to ensure continued compliance with the safety protocols of the coronavirus pandemic, schools are not to organize mass gathering of students.

Sports and religious activities are also suspended until further notice while students at boarding house are not allowed to receive visitors.

The re-opening date for tertiary institutions is June 15, 2020 with the semester running for six weeks for academic work and then four weeks for examinations.

All Non-MoE educational institutions are also expected to re-open on Monday June 15, 2020.

Foreign Students who are outside the country and are identified will be allowed to return granted their country will allow them exit.

The final year students for SHS 3, and SHS 2 Gold Track only will return to school on Monday 22 June, 2020.

They will go through six weeks of academic work and then five weeks for the WASSCE.

Classes would be made up of not more than 25 students while all students; both day and boarding students will be in boarding. Dining for boarding schools will be in batches.

The health protocols for all day schools are to be enhanced daily and no visitors allowed.

There should be no religious and sporting events.

 Final year JHS students (JHS 3) will resume classes on Monday 29th June 2020 and spend 11 weeks of academic work and one week for the BECE.

All classes will be from 9:00am to 1:00pm each day without breaks outside the classroom.

Schools will have enhanced daily protocols and will be unavailable for religious and sporting activities.