In a shocking development, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has made students travel an astonishing 428km to receive a meagre Ghc200 as an award.
This decision by the GES has been met with widespread anger and condemnation from parents, educators and the general public.
According to reports, the GES held a ceremony to honour students who had excelled in their academic performance in various districts across the country. However, instead of organising separate ceremonies for each district, the GES chose to hold a single ceremony in the capital city, Accra, which meant that students from distant districts had to travel long distances to receive their awards.
This decision has been widely criticised by many, who argue that it is a clear example of the GES’s disregard for the welfare of students. Some have even suggested that it is a deliberate attempt to discourage students from participating in academic competitions.
Meanwhile, the GES has defended its decision, stating that it was a cost-saving measure and that it was more efficient to hold a single ceremony for all the districts.
However, this justification has been met with scepticism by many, who argue that the cost of organising separate ceremonies for each district would have been minimal compared to the inconvenience and expense incurred by the students who had to travel long distances.
To that effect, many parents and educators have expressed their frustration with the GES, stating that this decision sends the wrong message to students who are working hard to achieve academic success. Moreover, according to them, it also raises concerns about the GES’s ability to effectively manage education in the country.
The GES has faced criticism in the past for its handling of various education-related issues. This latest incident has only served to highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of education in Ghana.
In conclusion, the decision by the GES to make students travel long distances to receive a small award is not only insensitive but also raises serious questions about the organisation’s priorities.
Thus, it is important for the GES to take the concerns of parents and educators seriously and to work towards building a more effective and efficient education system that prioritises the well-being of students.
