Coronavirus: Govt to allow foreign students to fly back to write final exam

The Minister of Education, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh has announced that the government of Ghana will allow foreign final year students to fly back into the country to take their final exam when school reopens for final year students on June 15, 2020.

Speaking at a press briefing, Tuesday, to give further details on reopening of schools for final year students following the partial easing of restrictions by government, he said the ministry has asked the leadership of educational institutions to furnish it with the passport details of their final year foreign students in order for the ministry to make the necessary arrangements for their return.

This he said is because of the closure of the nation’s land, sea and air borders.

For tertiary students, the minister indicated that academic activities when schools reopen are expected to take place for six weeks before exams are administered. He said this is to ensure that all students including those who did not have access to e-learning during their stay at home are adequately prepared for their final exam.

On Sunday, May 31, 2020, President Akufo-Addo announced the easing of some restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The president’s announcement included the reopening of schools for final year students beginning on June 15, 2020.

This according to the president is to help final year students prepare and write the exit examinations.

"From Monday, 15th June, 2020, the decision has been taken, after engagement with the Teacher Unions, whose co-operation I salute, to re-open schools and universities to allow for final-year junior high, senior high and university students to resume classes ahead of the conduct of their respective exit examinations. Indeed, final year university students are to report to their universities on 15th June; final year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students on 29th June. JHS 3 classes will comprise a maximum of thirty (30) students; SHS classes a maximum of twenty-five (25) students; and University lectures will take place with half the class sizes," the president said.