• The refusal to shut down the schools over the infections is indicative that the conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School and Certificate (WASSCE) matter more to the government other than lives of the students.
The Minority in Parliament has criticised the government for its firm decision to keep final year students in schools despite some recorded cases of COVID-19.
According to the caucus, the refusal to shut down the schools over the infections is indicative that the conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School and Certificate (WASSCE) matter more to the government other than lives of the students.
“Whereas other countries like Kenya and Nigeria have suspended the re-opening of schools and final year Exams (WASSCE) until 2021, the Akufo-Addo led administration has rather allowed final year students to return to school and prepare for their exams without ensuring adequate safety protocol measures on the various campuses.”
“This is an example of the government’s disregard for the welfare of students and the public at large,” the Minority said in a statement.
It also highlighted concerns over the inadequacy of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the schools and wondered why state institutions that have recorded Coronavirus cases have been closed down but schools with infections are still allowed to operate.
“It is amazing how suddenly, the government adores BECE and WASSCE at the expense of human lives. Meanwhile, if there are no healthy living beings, there will definitely be no exams or certificates.”
“We want to know if the government is by this means insinuating that, some lives or Ghanaians are more valuable than others by choosing to shut down institutions like the Ministry of finance, COCOBOD, BOST, and the Supreme Court. Why are the students still in school and on campuses?”
Meanwhile, the Minority reiterated its calls to the government to conduct mass testing for all students who have reported back to all schools and not limiting the tests to only schools with recorded cases.
“We maintain that the closure of all schools is the best way to go to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 cases among students,” the statement added.
Credit to Source: Citi News Room
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