EDUCATION

Covid-19 Impact: No WASSCE In 2020

Candidates for this year’s West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSEC) will write ‘Country Specific Examinations’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WASSCE is expected to commence from August 3 to September 4, this year following the postponement of the original date in June.

The country specific becomes necessary following the inability by the countries writing the WASSCE to agree on a common date because Covid-19.

Over the past decade, some countries in the sub region, including Ghana, Nigeria and Gambia have agreed to allow their students at the secondary school level participate in the WASSCE, which is supervised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and enable holders of WASSCE to pursue university education in member countries of ECOWAS.

Ghana’s Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, giving details of the school reopening protocols following easing of restrictions on public gatherings in Accra on Tuesday, said WASSCE candidates would write ‘Ghana Specific Exams’, instead of the WASSCE.

The Minister said all students will start lessons at 9am and close at 1pm, break periods will be observed in the classroom when schools re-open on June 15.

Government would provide three sets of reusable face masks to students and staff.

There should be disinfection of all educational institutions both public and private, while school authorities ensure availability of washing facilities such as Veronica Buckets for hand washing.

There would be no religious service and sporting activities in schools while students attend dining hall in batches.

The Minister said all Day Students in boarding schools would be accepted as boarders whilst Day Schools would have enhanced daily health protocols.

Also, there would be mapping of schools and link them with health facilities for quick response to any medical emergencies.

University and SHS students would use six weeks for academic work and four weeks to write their exit examinations whilst JHS students would spend 11 weeks for academic work and a week to write the Basic Education Certificate Examinations(BECE).

The Minister stated that parents or guardians who had children in boarding schools would not be allowed to visit their children during the period.

DGN

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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