The Ghana Education Service (GES) is expected to consult relevant stakeholders on how schools can recover teaching and learning time lost during the recent nationwide teachers’ strike. The consultations are intended to help minimize the disruption caused by the industrial action and protect the academic calendar.
GES Public Relations Officer Daniel Fenyi disclosed that the Service would engage stakeholders to consider practical ways of making up for the missed lessons. The options mentioned include shortening break periods and extending regular school hours. However, these remain possibilities for consideration, not confirmed changes to the school timetable.
The development follows the suspension of the strike by pre-tertiary teacher unions on Friday, October 9, 2026, after engagements with government representatives. Teachers were expected to return to the classroom on Monday, October 12, allowing teaching and learning to resume.
The nationwide strike began on September 25, 2026, and disrupted teaching and learning in public pre-tertiary schools for nearly two weeks. The interruption raised concerns about how schools would complete planned lessons and academic activities within the existing calendar.
With classroom activities resuming, attention has shifted to how schools can address the lost instructional time without causing unnecessary disruption to the rest of the academic year.
According to reports published by MyJoyOnline and 3News, Mr Daniel Fenyi said GES would engage relevant stakeholders to identify the best approach. He also urged the public to allow the Service and its partners time to assess the situation before deciding on the way forward.
The consultations are important because any recovery plan needs to consider the practical circumstances of schools, teachers and learners. The approach adopted must also take account of the time needed to complete lessons and other scheduled academic activities.
Shorter Breaks and Longer School Hours Among Options
GES has indicated that extending the academic calendar is not the only possible way to recover lessons missed during the strike. Shorter break periods and longer regular school hours are among the options mentioned by the Service’s Public Relations Officer.
These measures could provide additional time for teaching if they are considered appropriate and approved following consultation. However, the reports do not confirm that either option has been adopted or that schools have been instructed to change their daily schedules.
| Possible measure | What it could mean | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Shorter break periods | More time could be available for lessons during the school day. | An option mentioned by the GES PRO; not confirmed as a policy. |
| Extended school hours | Schools could potentially use additional time for teaching. | An option under consideration; no implementation directive confirmed. |
| Extension of the academic calendar | The school year or some scheduled activities could be adjusted if authorities decide it is necessary. | No final extension announced in the reports reviewed. |
The table summarises the options reported so far. It should not be interpreted as a list of approved changes. The final approach will depend on the outcome of stakeholder discussions and any subsequent official communication from GES.
Will GES Extend the 2026/2027 Academic Calendar?
One of the main concerns for students, parents and school administrators is whether the 2026/2027 academic calendar will be extended because of the strike.
Based on the reports reviewed, GES has not announced a final decision to extend the academic calendar. Mr Fenyi’s comments indicate that an extension is not the only option available and that stakeholders will be consulted before the appropriate measures are determined.
This means students and parents should not assume that reopening dates, vacation periods, closing dates or examination schedules have changed. Any adjustment to these arrangements should be confirmed through an official announcement from the relevant education authorities.
For the existing calendar and published dates, readers can refer to our related report:
2026/2027 SHS Academic Calendar: GES Reopening Date, Vacation and Closing Dates
What the Consultations Could Mean for Students and Teachers
Any plan to recover missed lessons could affect how schools organise teaching in the coming weeks. If additional teaching time is approved, school administrators and teachers may need to adjust lesson plans and daily schedules to help learners cover important topics.
For students, the priority will be to return to regular learning routines, attend classes consistently and follow instructions from their schools. Learners preparing for important examinations may also need to organise their revision carefully while teachers work through the remaining syllabus.
Teachers and school administrators will need clear guidance before making changes to timetables or other academic arrangements. Until GES communicates an approved plan, schools should not treat the options mentioned in media reports as binding instructions.
Parents and guardians should likewise continue following official school communications rather than relying on rumours or unconfirmed claims about longer school days, shortened breaks or revised vacation dates.
Why Stakeholder Consultation Matters
Consultation can help education authorities assess the possible effects of different recovery measures before choosing a way forward. Schools may have different timetables, facilities and learning needs, so the practical impact of any adjustment needs to be considered carefully.
The objective is to recover the teaching time lost during the strike while limiting further disruption to the academic year. Any decision will need to provide clear direction to schools and give students, teachers and parents reliable information about what is expected.
The Ghana Education Service has therefore asked the public to allow the consultation process to proceed before drawing conclusions about the academic calendar. The final decision, when announced, will clarify which measures will be used and whether any official dates or schedules will change.
What Students and Parents Should Do Now
While waiting for further information, students should continue attending school according to their current school schedules and make effective use of the time available for lessons and revision.
Parents and guardians should monitor announcements from their children’s schools and official education authorities. Teachers and school administrators should also wait for clear directives before implementing any timetable changes linked to the recovery of missed lessons.
Readers can also explore other education updates on 247 World Reports, including the following related reports:
- GES Orders SHS and SHTS Heads to Refund Unauthorised Fees Collected From Parents
- GES Clarifies SHS Boarding Rules: Students Must Not Be Turned Away Over Trunks or Chop Boxes
Conclusion
The Ghana Education Service is preparing to consult stakeholders on how schools can recover teaching and learning time lost during the teachers’ strike. Shorter break periods and extended school hours have been mentioned as possible options, but no final decision on these measures or an extension of the academic calendar has been confirmed in the reports reviewed.
Students, parents, teachers and school administrators should continue following existing schedules until official guidance is issued. Any confirmed changes to school hours, break periods or academic dates should be based on announcements from GES or the relevant education authorities.
Disclaimer
This report is for educational and informational purposes. The possible academic calendar adjustments described above are based on media reports of comments attributed to the GES Public Relations Officer. They should not be treated as approved policy or official instructions. Readers should confirm any changes to school schedules and academic dates through official Ghana Education Service communications and their schools.
Sources
- MyJoyOnline – GES to Consult Stakeholders on Academic Calendar Adjustments
- 3News – GES to Consult Stakeholders on Adjustments to Academic Calendar
- Citi Newsroom – GES to Develop Plan to Recover Teaching Time Lost During Teachers’ Strike
Stay informed: Follow 247 World Reports for updates on Ghana’s education sector, school calendars, GES announcements and other important education news.
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