GES Grants March 7 Holiday for Students After Independence Day Celebrations

In a move that has sparked mixed reactions, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has declared Friday, March 7, 2025, a public holiday exclusively for students across the country.

This one-day break comes as a much-needed respite for schoolchildren after weeks of intense preparations for Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebrations.

The announcement, made in a circular to all schools on Thursday, gives students a chance to recuperate following the exhaustive rehearsals for parades, cultural performances, and other activities associated with the national holiday.

According to a spokesperson for GES, the holiday acknowledges the dedication and hard work of students and educators who contributed to the success of the Independence Day events.

“This break is meant to allow our students to rest and recover from the physical and mental strain of the past few weeks,” the spokesperson explained.

The holiday will only apply to basic and secondary schools, and classes are set to resume on Monday, March 10.

To accommodate the unexpected day off, the GES has adjusted academic calendars to ensure that students remain on track with their studies.

The decision has received mixed feedback from the public. While many parents have welcomed the break as a well-deserved rest for their children, some educators have raised concerns about the timing of the holiday.

“The holiday falls just a day after Independence Day, and it could disrupt students’ learning schedules, especially with exams approaching,” one teacher remarked.

In response, the GES clarified that the decision was made after consultations with regional education directors, who reported significant fatigue among students who had been involved in the Independence Day activities.

The GES emphasized that the holiday would not affect students’ academic progress, as adjustments would be made to the school calendars.

While some critics worry that these last-minute closures may add to existing disruptions in the classroom, others see the holiday as a positive step toward balancing academic pressure with the mental and physical well-being of students.

For now, students are relishing the midweek break, which serves as a small but much-appreciated reward for their patriotic efforts during the national celebrations.