Final year students of Junior High Schools numbering 584,000 across the country will from the 24th of August 2020 receive one hot meal each day until September 18, 2020.
Speaking Sunday, August 16 in a televised address to the nation on measures taken in response to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana, President Akufo Addo disclosed that Staff of the schools are also expected to be provided with the meals.
Speaking to the nation in a similar address on June 14, 2020, President Akufo Addo announced the reopening of schools for final year students which saw Junior High School Students return to school on June 29, a week after SHS final year students on June 22.
But in his latest address, the President, noted that the decision to feed the JHS candidates was born out of complaints of students going hungry.
“As a result of reports I have received that some final year JHS students are going hungry in complying with COVID-19 protocols, I have just instructed the Minister for Gender and Social Protection to begin preparation to ensure that as from 24th August up to 18th of September, all 584,000 final year JHS students and 146,000 staff both in public and private schools be given one hot meal a day. This is to ensure full observation to COVID-19 safety protocols.”
The president also announced that universities in the country will be disinfected ahead of the return of continuing students in tertiary institutions that have not completed the academic year via online means to return to school from August 24, 2020.
“Through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in our universities have completed their studies for the academic year with exceptions at the University of Cape Coast, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Technical Universities and colleges. After extensive stakeholder consultations, a decision has been taken that continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school 24th of August to finish their academic year.” He stated.
He added that the Ministry of Education is still engaging the Ghana Education Service and all relevant stakeholders to conclude discussions on the modalities surrounding the reopening of Pre-tertiary institutions with a decision to communicated subsequently.
