The Ministry of Education is calling on parents to remain calm as incoming first-year students at Senior High Schools (SHS), as well as technical and vocational institutions, prepare to start the new academic term on Thursday, October 31.

Addressing concerns about the readiness of both students and parents, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, assured parents on Citi FM’s Citi Breakfast Show that students will not lose their admissions if they cannot report on the specified date.

Instead, a one-week grace period is in place to ensure a smooth transition.

Kwarteng explained that academic activities won’t begin immediately, allowing for a preparatory period up to November 7.

During this time, students will have the opportunity to organize and settle into their new school environments, gather necessary supplies, and fulfil pre-academic requirements.

The Ministry introduced this grace period to alleviate the stress faced by parents and students adjusting to the recent harmonized prospectus system, which has standardized the list of essential items students need to bring.

Recognizing that many parents felt the time given to gather these items was too short, Kwarteng noted that the Ministry intentionally scheduled the first week for orientation and registration rather than formal classes.

This additional time is intended to ease the transition and ensure students and families can complete all necessary preparations before academic activities officially commence.

“The registration and orientation begin on October 30 and it is different from saying that students are to report on October 30. The real-time for academic activities to begin is on November 7 and I think that is where parents and students need clarification because people are complaining that the time is very short.

“We feel that with the introduction of the harmonised prospectus, a lot of parents would have the opportunity to prepare their children for school.

“But the most important thing for the parents and all the prospective students to know is that if you are unable to be in school and begin your registration process, you are not losing your admission slot. There is still an opportunity for you, particularly when the academic activities are yet to start.”