The Outbreak of the Corona Virus in March 2020 brought with it, a halt on academic activities. Basic, Senior High, and Tertiary institutions had to be closed down as part of the government’s control measures against the spread of the virus.
There have been various timelines for the resumption of academic work especially for students at the Tertiary levels, however, the Government in October cancelled all planned school resumption due to uncertainties in the spread of the virus until January 2021.
As January is fast approaching, The University of Ghana, KNUST and other tertiary institutions have issued timelines for school resumption. Most Students are anxious to get back to school due to fatigue and boredom.
Through all these, the Government has set Thursday, December 30 as the date for a cabinet meeting where a definit decision on school resumption shall be made. As a student and a significant stakeholder in the field of academia, I seek to provide my opinion on why students who cant wait to return to school may have to wait at least one more month for resumption.
First, permit me draw your attention to the fire raging COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, in the last few weeks have proven to be growing in new dimensions. America, Europe and Southern Africa are seeing a new wave of the spread. There is also a new strain of the virus which has over 60% infection rate. These happenings may give government a feeling of giving more time to study the behavior of the virus in the early parts of 2021.
Another important factor to note is the state of Ghana’s economy. The pandemic brought a close to many economic activities. Most of the worse hit sectors are still struggling to recover and these have terrible consequencies on government revenue. Government expenditure during the outbreak leaves very little fiscal space for governmets spending. Government would therefore be handicapped to provide protective equipments to all levels of academic insitutions in Ghana in January, some of which few may include fumigation of campuses, provision of sanitary conditions, provision of PPEs amongst others. Medical facilities would also have to be equipped to handle any potential outbreak. These, in my opinion, cannot be met across the board in January.
With the points outlined above, I am of the opinion that, Government may intend to reopen schools in batches begining from the basic and secondary level before tertiary evels. this may allow government the space to carefully monitor the spread, build the fiscal space as well as the capacity and preparedness of medical facilities for any potential outbreak. Again, the government may recommend a track systerm to manage congestions in schools in order to minimize the risk.
it is based on the above that students at tertiary levels may have to wait for at least one more month in 2021 before joining colleagues for in class academic work. Thank you.
