Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Ghana explained

Most governments decided to temporarily close educational institutions in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.[1] As of, approximately learners are affected due to school closures in response to the pandemic. According to UNICEF monitoring, countries are implementing nationwide closures and are implementing local closures, impacting about percent of the world's student population. countries' schools are open.

On 23 March 2020, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) released a statement announcing the cancellation of Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge AICE Diploma, and Cambridge Pre-U examinations for the May/June 2020 series across all countries.[2] International Baccalaureate exams have also been cancelled.[3] In addition, Advanced Placement Exams, SAT administrations, and ACT administrations have been moved online and cancelled.

School closures impact not only students, teachers, and families.[4] but have far-reaching economic and societal consequences.[5] [6] [7] School closures in response to the pandemic have shed light on various social and economic issues, including student debt,[8] digital learning,[9] [10] food insecurity,[11] and homelessness,[12] [13] as well as access to childcare,[14] health care,[15] housing,[16] internet,[17] and disability services.[18] The impact was more severe for disadvantaged children and their families, causing interrupted learning, compromised nutrition, childcare problems, and consequent economic cost to families who could not work.[19] [20]

In response to school closures, UNESCO recommended the use of distance learning programs and open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers can use to reach learners remotely and limit the disruption of education.[21] Colleges have scrambled to find creative solutions to teaching students online, in-person but socially distant, or in a hybrid format.[22]

Timeline

Basic schools, senior high schools and universities, both public and private, have also been closed. Only BECE and WASSCE candidates were permitted to remain in school under social distancing protocols.[23]

The GES and Zoomlion Ghana Limited also joined forces to launch an initiative to fumigate all senior high, special and technical schools in the country to curb the spread of the pandemic.[24]

Accra Technical University confirmed a COVID-19 case after symptoms were shown.[25]

The President in his address to the nation, assured parents of students to be calm over the reopening of schools amidst the increasing number of coronavirus in Ghana.[26]

Students of Accra Girls School were to undergo mass testing for COVID-19 disease after it was reported some students tested positive for the virus.[27]

The GES maintained that final year SHS students would write their WASSCE exams despite COVID-19 fears.[28]

The COVID-19 team of the NDC proposed mass testing of students and the closure of schools as cases were recorded and continued to rise.[29]

The Minister for Education who recovered from the virus led a campaign against the stigmatization of people infected with COVID-19.[30]

The president asked students and teachers to abide by the COVID-19 protocols who would be involved in the conduct of the 2020 final year exams.[31]

GES and GHS issued a joint statement stating, “any school where no positive case of COVID-19 has been recorded, the students can vacate and go home." due to COVID-19 infections recorded in some schools.[32]

The VC of UG revealed the mode of teaching and learning to curb the spread of COVID-19.[33]

An organization appealed to Government to provide PPEs to schools during their reopening.[34]

The executive director of an education think-tank claimed Government should provide COVID-19 safety materials before school reopens.[35]

An organization asked the Government to take into consideration the reopening of schools in January 2021.[36] The organization hailed the Government for its decision to reopen schools.[37] The President claimed it was safe for schools to resume for academic activities and he mentioned the dates of amdist COVID-19 resumption.[38] [39]

The MoE released a document of the approved calendar from KG to SHS to curb the spread of the virus.[40]

The Director-General of GES revealed JHS students would run a semester system with the observance of the protocols.[41] He also cautioned schools not to charge or ask for COVID-19 tests before students are admitted.[42] UG adopted the double track system to help reduce the spread of the virus among staff, students and lecturers.[43] Students in the university resisted the double track system.[44] The university partnered with Zoomlion to disinfect the institution.[45] A student advised the university to enforce the COVID-19 protocols.[46] The university claimed it would punish students who fail to observe the safety protocols.[47]

MoE revealed private schools would be provided with PPEs and the schools would also be fumigated for free.[48] MoE told school authorities to contact their local assemblies for PPEs.[49] It appealed with parents to support the government to provide PPEs to every school.[50]

Students arrived in the various universities as directed by the President for reopening of schools.[51]

Some Accra students were 'excited' schools reopened.[52] An association claimed about 651,000 children were expected back to school.[53] School children returned to schools amid observing the safety protocols.[54]

The GES claimed it would ensure schools are safe for teaching and learning,[55] it issued some guidelines to be followed,[56] it also urged parents to protect their children from the virus,[57] it also claimed all schools were presented with PPEs.[58] The institution was urged to enforce the protocols in schools for assurance to parents.[59] The institution claimed it trained 52,000 teachers to assist halt the spread of the virus in schools.[60] The GES with the support from the government decided to provide laptops to teachers for use during the COVID-19 era.[61] The institution claimed it would increase surveillance and intensify contact tracing in schools in Ghana.[62]

NUGS appealed to the parliament to consider the motion for free tertiary due to the impact of the pandemic.[63] The Speaker of Parliament urged the leadership of the political parties to aid streamline the motion for free tertiary.[64] An MP claimed stopping students from payment of fees in tertiary institutions would be a minimal cost to the country.[65] Parliament voted against free tertiary for students.[66] The VC of Pentecost University supported calls for absorption of fees for tertiary students.[67]

The administration of UPSA claimed it would mix online and physical teaching and learning for the 2020/21 academic year due to the pandemic.[68]

A Clinical Microbiologist, Dr Michael Owusu claimed the government might be forced to shut down schools.[69]

A Conference of Directors appealed to the GES to take action on PPEs in institutions.[70]

An authority warned school authorities to enforce the safety protocols.[71]

The President of an association blamed parents for the challenges they faced to curb the spread of the virus in schools.[72]

5 students of Koforidua Technical were claimed to have tested positive for COVID-19.[73] It was reported a student of TTU tested positive for the virus.[74] About 142 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in some schools in four regions.[75] A girls' school in the Eastern region confirmed 13 COVID-19 cases.[76] UENR conformed 5 cases of COVID-19 in Sunyani.[77]

The Chairman of Vice-Chancellors Ghana claimed cases recorded in some universities in the country were managed.[78]

The National Schools Inspectorate Authority called on schools to report COVID-19 cases to the GHS.[79]

The Union of teachers were against calls for closure of schools due to the increase of infections.[80] A virologist at KCCR appealed to the government to shut down lower primary and others.[81] Child Right International supported the union of teachers against calls for closure of schools.[82]

The Board Chairman of a school claimed private schools were affected by the pandemic.[83]

COVID-19 pandemic was claimed to have provided the opportunity to strengthen online studies.[84]

Private schools in the country were claimed they were still in hardships due to the pandemic.[85]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-03-04. COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response. 2020-05-24. UNESCO. en.
  2. Web site: Update from Cambridge International on May/June 2020 exams. 23 March 2020. Cambridge International Examinations.
  3. Web site: 23 March 2020. May 2020 examinations will no longer be held. 28 March 2020. International Baccalaureate. en.
  4. Bao. Xue. Qu. Hang. Zhang. Ruixiong. Hogan. Tiffany P.. 2020-09-01. Modeling Reading Ability Gain in Kindergarten Children during COVID-19 School Closures. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 17. 17. 17. 10.3390/ijerph17176371. 7504163. 32882960. free.
  5. Web site: 2020-03-10. Adverse consequences of school closures. 2020-03-15. UNESCO. en.
  6. Web site: Lindzon. Jared. 2020-03-12. School closures are starting, and they'll have far-reaching economic impacts. 2020-03-22. Fast Company. en-US. vanc.
  7. Aristovnik A, Keržič D, Ravšelj D, Tomaževič N, Umek L. October 2020. Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Life of Higher Education Students: A Global Perspective. Sustainability. 12. 20. 8438. 10.3390/su12208438. free.
  8. News: Jamerson. Josh. Mitchell. Joshua. 2020-03-20. Student-Loan Debt Relief Offers Support to an Economy Battered by Coronavirus. en-US. The Wall Street Journal. 2020-03-23. 0099-9660. vanc.
  9. Web site: 2020-03-05. Distance learning solutions. 2020-03-23. UNESCO. en.
  10. News: Karp. Paul. McGowan. Michael. 2020-03-23. 'Clear as mud': schools ask for online learning help as coronavirus policy confusion persists. en-GB. The Guardian. 2020-03-23. 0261-3077. vanc.
  11. Web site: Schools Race To Feed Students Amid Coronavirus Closures. 2020-03-23. NPR.org. en.
  12. Web site: SESSOMS. BEN. Homeless students during the coronavirus pandemic: 'We have to make sure they're not forgotten'. 2020-03-23. Statesville.com. 23 March 2020 . en.
  13. Web site: Ngumbi. Esther. Coronavirus closings: Are colleges helping their foreign, homeless and poor students?. 2020-03-23. USA Today. en-US.
  14. Coronavirus Forces Families to Make Painful Childcare Decisions. en. Time. 2020-03-23.
  15. Web site: Feuer. William. 2020-03-20. WHO officials warn health systems are 'collapsing' under coronavirus: 'This isn't just a bad flu season'. 2020-03-23. CNBC. en. vanc.
  16. Web site: Barrett. Sully. 2020-03-23. Coronavirus on campus: College students scramble to solve food insecurity and housing challenges. 2020-03-23. CNBC. en. vanc.
  17. Web site: Jordan. Chuck. 2020-03-22. Coronavirus outbreak shining an even brighter light on internet disparities in rural America. 2020-03-23. The Hill. en. vanc.
  18. Web site: Education Dept. Says Disability Laws Shouldn't Get In The Way Of Online Learning. 2020-03-23. NPR.org. en.
  19. Web site: 4 March 2020. COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response. 28 March 2020. UNESCO.
  20. News: Coronavirus deprives nearly 300 million students of their schooling: UNESCO. The Telegram. Reuters. 11 March 2020.
  21. Web site: 4 March 2020. 290 million students out of school due to COVID-19: UNESCO releases first global numbers and mobilizes response. 6 March 2020. UNESCO.
  22. Web site: Newlin. Timothy. 14 January 2021. How We Navigated a Hybrid Remote Learning Environment Using Wolfram Technology. Wolfram Blog.
  23. News: Nyabor. Jonas. 15 March 2020. Coronavirus: Government bans religious activities, funerals, all other public gatherings. Citi Newsroom. 16 March 2020.
  24. Web site: Zoomlion rolls out school disinfection programme. 2020-12-24. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  25. Web site: Accra Technical University confirms first COVID-19 case. 2020-12-24. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  26. Web site: 2020-06-28. Coronavirus: Government won't endanger lives of JHS students, staff – Nana Addo. 2020-12-24. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  27. Web site: Students of Accra Girls' to undergo mass testing for COVID-19. 2020-12-24. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  28. Web site: 2020-07-09. Ghanaian students to write 2020 WASSCE despite COVID-19 concerns. 2020-12-24. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  29. Web site: 2020-07-13. NDC COVID-19 team proposes mass testing of students, closure of schools. 2020-12-24. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  30. Web site: 2020-07-18. Napo Leads Covid-19 Stigma Fight. 2020-12-24. DailyGuide Network. en-US.
  31. Web site: 2020-07-19. Observe COVID-19 protocols during WASSCE – Nana Addo to students, teachers. 2020-12-24. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  32. Web site: 2020-07-30. GES, GHS issue guidelines for Gold Track SHS students returning home tomorrow. 2020-12-24. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  33. Web site: UG announces approved mode of teaching and learning for 2020/21 academic year. 2020-12-24. MyJoyOnline.com. 24 December 2020 . en-US.
  34. Web site: 2020-12-28. Coronavirus: CHASS demands provision of PPE ahead of school reopening. 2020-12-28. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  35. Web site: 2020-12-29. Government must provide coronavirus safety kits ahead of school reopening – Africa Education Watch. 2020-12-29. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  36. Web site: 2020-12-31. Consider reopening schools in January 2021 – CHASS to government. 2021-01-03. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  37. Web site: 2021-01-04. CHASS hails government's decision to reopen schools. 2021-01-04. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  38. Web site: 2021-01-03. Akufo-Addo announces date for reopening of schools. 2021-01-03. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  39. Web site: Schools to reopen on January 15 - Akufo-Addo. 2021-01-03. MyJoyOnline.com. 3 January 2021 . en-US.
  40. Web site: 2021-01-04. FULL TEXT: 2021 approved Academic Calendar from Kindergarten to SHS. 2021-01-04. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  41. Web site: Boakye. Edna Agnes. 2021-01-04. School reopening: JHS to run semester system – GES. 2021-01-04. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  42. Web site: Don't charge or demand COVID-19 test results before admission - GES to schools. 2021-01-04. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  43. Web site: UG adopts double track system. 2021-01-06. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  44. Web site: 2021-01-09. 'Double Track' in the nation's premiere university being resisted by students. 2021-01-10. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  45. Web site: 2021-01-07. University of Ghana campus to be disinfected ahead of Monday reopening. 2021-01-07. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  46. Web site: University of Ghana can do a better job at enforcing Covid-19 protocols - Student - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-01-14. www.myjoyonline.com. 12 January 2021 . en-US.
  47. Web site: 2021-01-13. Students who disregard COVID-19 protocols could be expelled – UG. 2021-01-13. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  48. Web site: 2021-01-07. Private schools to benefit from free fumigation and PPEs – Education Ministry. 2021-01-07. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  49. Web site: 2021-01-18. Schools in need should contact district assemblies for PPE – Education Ministry. 2021-01-18. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  50. Web site: 2021-01-19. Education Ministry urges parents to support gov't in providing PPE. 2021-01-19. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  51. Web site: Universities begin registration of freshers. 2021-01-12. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  52. Web site: 2021-01-13. Reopening of schools: Students express readiness for academic activities. 2021-01-13. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  53. Web site: 2021-01-13. 651,000 kids expected to register for 'my first day at school' - GNAT. 2021-01-13. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  54. Web site: 2021-01-18. Pupils return to school amid strict COVID-19 safety protocols. 2021-01-18. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  55. Web site: 2021-01-17. Schools will remain safe after reopening – GES. 2021-01-17. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  56. Web site: Boakye. Edna Agnes. 2021-01-18. COVID-19: GES issues guidelines on school reopening. 2021-01-18. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  57. Web site: 2021-01-19. COVID-19: Be responsible for your child's safety – GES to parents. 2021-01-19. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  58. Web site: 2021-01-19. GES unaware some schools don't have PPE - Dep. Director General claims. 2021-01-19. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  59. Web site: 2021-01-26. Strictly enforce COVID-19 protocols to assure parents of their ward's safety – GES urged. 2021-01-26. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  60. Web site: 2021-01-28. We've trained 52,000 teachers to curb spread of COVID-19 in schools – GES. 2021-01-28. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  61. Web site: 2021-01-31. Government to provide teachers with laptops. 2021-01-31. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  62. Web site: Covid-19: GES to increase surveillance, contact tracing in schools - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-07. www.myjoyonline.com. 6 February 2021 . en-US.
  63. Web site: 2021-01-21. NUGS endorses motion for free tertiary education for 2021 academic year. 2021-01-21. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  64. Web site: Boakye. Edna Agnes. 2021-01-21. Bagbin urges NDC, NPP to streamline Ayariga's motion for suspension of 2021 tertiary fees. 2021-01-21. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  65. Web site: 2021-01-25. Suspension of tertiary education fees will be minimal cost to the state – Ayariga. 2021-01-25. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  66. Web site: 2021-01-28. Parliament votes against Ayariga's motion for absorption of 2021 tertiary fees. 2021-01-28. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  67. Web site: Absorb tertiary students fees — Rev. Prof. Agyapong-Kodua charges govt. 2021-02-01. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  68. Web site: UPSA to blend online, face-to-face teaching and learning. 2021-01-28. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  69. Web site: Covid-19: Government might be forced to close schools again if active cases keep rising– Scientist - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-03. www.myjoyonline.com. 2 February 2021 . en-US.
  70. Web site: Expedite action on PPE provision - private pre-tertiary schools charge GES. 2021-02-05. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  71. Web site: Non-compliance of Covid-19 safety protocols will lead to the closure of schools - NIA caution school heads - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-07. www.myjoyonline.com. 5 February 2021 . en-US.
  72. Web site: Parents making it challenging to manage Covid-19 - CHASS president - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-09. www.myjoyonline.com. 8 February 2021 . en-US.
  73. Web site: 2021-02-08. 5 KOTECH students test positive for coronavirus. 2021-02-09. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  74. Web site: 2021-02-08. Coronavirus recorded at Takoradi Techincal [sic] University, management refuses to disclose. 2021-02-09. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  75. Web site: 2021-02-09. 142 coronavirus positive cases recorded in schools in four regions. 2021-02-10. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  76. Web site: 2021-02-09. Legacy Girls College records 13 coronavirus cases. 2021-02-10. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  77. Web site: 2021-02-09. University of Energy and Natural Resources records 5 cases of coronavirus. 2021-02-10. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  78. Web site: Covid-19 cases recorded at universities being managed per safety protocols - Prof Gyapong - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-09. www.myjoyonline.com. 8 February 2021 . en-US.
  79. Web site: Boakye. Edna Agnes. 2021-02-09. Report COVID-19 cases in your schools – NaSIA to pre-tertiary institutions. 2021-02-10. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  80. Web site: 2021-02-09. GNAT, NAGRAT urge calm following COVID-19 infections in schools. 2021-02-10. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  81. Web site: Virologist calls for closure of kindergarten, lower primary schools amid Covid-19 - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-10. www.myjoyonline.com. 9 February 2021 . en-US.
  82. Web site: 2021-02-10. Withdrawing children from school over COVID-19 not necessary now – Child Rights International. 2021-02-11. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  83. Web site: Covid-19 pandemic devastates private schools – Proprietor - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-02-13. www.myjoyonline.com. 12 February 2021 . en-US.
  84. Web site: Covid-19 provides opportunity to strengthen online teaching - Educationist, Theodosia Jackson - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-03-05. www.myjoyonline.com. 4 March 2021 . en-US.
  85. Web site: 2021-03-17. Private schools still struggling, in need of support – GNACOPS. 2021-03-18. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.

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