Kwaku Kesse Akess

As the school term ends in Ghana, a familiar pattern resumes. From south to the North, parents enroll their children in "vacation classes"—extra lessons, remedial sessions, that fill the long breaks. The concern driving this practice is real and urgent. Ghana's 2025 WASSCE results showed a sharp decline, with Core Mathematics passes dropping from 66.86% in 2024 to 48.73%, and Social Studies from 71.53% to 55.82%. Furthermore, the 2024 National Standardised Test revealed that only about 60% of Primary Four learners met minimum proficiency in reading, and 65% in mathematics. Due to this, vacation classes appear as a logical solution. However, the central question is not whether they should exist, but how they should be organized to truly benefit learners without causing harm. A well-planned vacation programme is purposeful, moderate, and learner-centred. It addresses specific learning gaps, supports targeted groups and measures real improvement. But when poorly managed, it ...

A popular internet legend has captured the imagination of students worldwide: the story of Roberto Nevilis, an Italian teacher who supposedly invented homework in 1905 as a punishment for his students. Social media posts and even some educational institutions have perpetuated this tale, with one school confidently declaring, "The Person Who Invented Homework Was An Italian Teacher Named 'Roberto Nevilis'. He Invented Homework In 1905 As A Punishment For His Students." However, historical research has thoroughly debunked this myth. There are no historical records, Italian educational archives, or credible academic sources that mention Roberto Nevilis. Historians and fact-checkers have consistently proven this story to be an urban legend with no factual basis. In fact, evidence shows that homework existed long before 1905—California even banned homework for students under 15 in 1901, four years before Nevilis supposedly invented it. The True Ancient Origins of Homework ...

Ghana has often been described as a beacon of democracy in Africa, hasn't it? For over three decades, the country has enjoyed a reputation for peaceful elections, constitutional governance, and the smooth transfer of political power. However, recent developments suggest that the foundations of this democracy are facing serious challenges. Democracy is not only about voting during elections; it is also about respecting the rule of law, protecting citizens' rights, ensuring accountability, and allowing people to express their opinions freely. Unfortunately, some actions by political actors, institutions, and individuals appear to threaten these democratic values. If citizens cannot freely speak, question leaders, or demand accountability, then democracy itself becomes endangered. One major concern is the increasing political tension and division among Ghanaians. Instead of focusing on national development, some politicians often engage in insults, propaganda, and personal attacks...

Across Ghana's basic, secondary and tertiary institutions, a troubling pattern has resurfaced in public discourse: sexual relationships and abuse between educators and the students entrusted to their care. Indeed, recent events have thrust this crisis back into the national spotlight. In June 2026, a viral video allegedly showing a science teacher at Bole Senior High School with a final-year female student in a science laboratory prompted the Ghana Education Service (GES) to interdict the teacher and open investigations. More recently, in August 2026, Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) was rocked by unrest after students accused the headteacher, Mr. Abdulai Zakaria, of sexual misconduct — allegations that reportedly included forced intercourse, inappropriate advances, and the burial of a foetus linked to a claimed abortion. It is important to stress that these allegations against Mr Zakaria remain unverified by authorities and are still under investigation; nonetheless, the...