Fix academic calendar - Children appeal to gov’t
Schoolchildren in the country have appealed to the government to take steps to stabilise the academic calendar for the
effective planning of studies and other school-related activities.
They said the frequent changes in the academic calendar did not augur well for effective teaching and learning.
The children also asked the government to improve the health care system and sanitation to help them live healthy lives, so they could work hard to achieve their goals.
Advertisement
In separate interviews with the Junior Graphic on what they wanted the government to do for them this year, the children explained that the areas mentioned affected their lives directly and that when those areas were improved, it would help them realise their full potential.Read what they had to say below.
Benedict Dei Amoani,
St Dominic R/C JHS,
Akwatia.
I want the government to seriously look at the educational sector because a lot needs to be done.
Schools must go back to the old academic calendar that was in place before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because the changes in the calendar make it difficult for students, parents, and schools to plan.
Our parents are also complaining that the academic calendar which begins in January is not convenient for them. It is just after Christmas and the festivities come with a lot of activities and spending. Just after the holidays, parents have to buy new sets of education materials, as well as pay school fees. This puts a lot of stress on them.
The government should also address the lack of classrooms that some communities face. More classroom blocks must be built to eradicate the problem of children studying under trees since such unfortunate children are always at the mercy of the weather.
We want to study in an environment where we will be able to achieve our goals.
Mawunyo Amuzu,
St Francis Demo. J.ME 'B' School,
Hohoe, Volta Region.
I want the government to ensure that every child, irrespective of his or her socioeconomic background, has access to quality education so that all children will have equal opportunities in life.
More schools must be built and furnished so that schoolchildren do not have to walk miles to and from school because they do not have schools close to their homes.
Some children have to walk miles to get to their schools. This is not the best, since they get to school tired and sometimes they miss important lessons.
I also want the government to provide textbooks for the new syllabus to help children study effectively this year.
Adjoa Nyameyie Fletcher,
Pere Planque School,
Cape Coast, Central Region.
As children, securing a great future will depend, to a large extent, on our education, health, and good sanitation, as clearly spelt out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Four, Three, and Six, respectively.
I, therefore, plead with the government to do its very best to support the proper implementation of these goals, so that children can grow and reach their full potential.
If we have good educational structures, good health care, clean water to drink, eat a well-balanced diet, live in clean communities, and have safe roads, we will grow and excel in all our endeavours.
Amanda Osei Owusu Fosu,
Ebenezer Memorial Educational Centre,
Winneba, Central Region.
This year, my biggest concern is the current academic calendar for basic schools. I want the government and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to hasten the process of going back to the old calendar which began in September.
Advertisement
The government must also ensure that all basic schools are provided with textbooks and other teaching materials to make learning easy.
In the area of health, I want the government to ensure that children have unhindered access to health care without any financial constraints.
Poor sanitation also affects children’s development, so I would like the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to sensitise the public to the dangers of poor sanitation and unsanitary practices.
Aniel Otuo Serebour,
Trinity Stars School,
Dansoman, Accra.
Advertisement
Access to education is the constitutional right of every child in the country and so this year I want the government to ensure that every child is in school.
Most of the people hawking along our roads are children of school age. We need to know why they are there and get them off our streets.
Ghana will be a better place to live if all children are in school now because, in the near future, these children will grow and take the reins of governance of the nation to move it forward.