The Ministry of Education says it is not true that government has plans to change the colours of the uniforms for basic school students across the country and also to repaint all public basic schools into blue and white.
Talks on whether or not school uniforms at the basic school level would be changed by government became a topical issue after the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Adutwum touched on the subject at recent public event.
The Minister was categorical in his statements: “You see, you don’t see brown and yellow, we are rebranding public schools. No brown and yellow, blue and white, and we are changing the uniforms too. This is President Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s Ghana.
“We have begun the transformation. There’s no reason why we should not. Ghana deserves better, and we’re going to give them better, something that we can all be proud of”, Dr. Adutwum said presentation at the University of Professional Studies, Accra and same was reported by the media.
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The reports have since sparked a public debate of split opinions and while dust is yet to settle on the matter, Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, said what the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Adutwum said about the change in school uniforms was completely reported out of context therefore the need to clarify.
A statement from the Kwasi Kwarteng noted:
“Contrary to the reports in the media about plans by the Education Ministry to introduce New uniforms for Public Basic schools, the Ministry wishes to clarify that there are no such plans in place. Additionally, there is no intention to repaint existing schools.
“The Minister’s statement was with specific reference to the selection of brighter and friendly colors for the painting of the newly constructed 21st Century Model Junior High schools. The aim is to lighten and enhance the appearance and physical outlook of the new schools. It is never a case of repainting existing schools or altering them in anyway.”
The Spokesperson for the Education Ministry continued: “The new schools will have the option of choosing new colors for their uniforms and does not imply a wholesale change of uniforms across all public basic schools in the country.”
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Dr. Yaw Adutwum, the Minister for Education, is undoubtedly one of the hardest working in Presient Akufo-Addo’s cabinet.
His transformational achievements in the education sector have become reference points for government.
Dr. Adutwum adopts a down-to-earth and hands-on approach towards in his work as Minister and pays random unaccounted visits to schools across the country, be they schools in the rural communities or in the highly developed urban centers.
During such visits, he gets involved in the class room as well as extra curriculum activities of the schools.
It was during one of such visits to the Osu Presbyterian Senior High School (Osu PRESEC) in Accra that he came across a number of broken doors and infrastructure which needed repair works.
The Minister, last Thursday, took to his Facebook wall to express excitement at the turn of events after his visit to the school.
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He wrote “Last year, in February, I visited Osu Presec and was disheartened by the state of the Form Three (3) Block. Broken doors, dysfunctional ceiling fans, and other damaged infrastructure were unacceptable for our student’s learning environment.
“ I made a promise to the students and management that we would take action.
“ Today, I am thrilled to announce that we have delivered on that promise! The rehabilitation of the Form Three (3) block is complete, and we have restored it to even greater glory.
“Our students now have a safe and conducive space to excel academically. I am proud of what we have achieved together!”
