By Benjamin Epeduno
NATIONAL
State Minister for Education and Sports (SPORTS), Hon. Peter Ogwang, appeared on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 19th August, 2026 to address mounting concerns over unauthorized academic engagements during official school holiday breaks.
The Minister expressed grave concern over a growing trend where some institutions are subverting the academic calendar by converting recess periods into de facto extended learning terms.
“This practice undermines the very purpose of school holidays, which are constitutionally and pedagogically intended for learner rest, recreation, and holistic development,” Ogwang told Parliament.
In a bid to enforce compliance, he urged the public to take civic responsibility*and report any schools found conducting illegal holiday coaching sessions through the Ministry’s toll-free whistleblowing line: 0800 377771.
Hon. Ogwang attributed the surge in extra coaching to intensified parental pressure for academic performance and the pursuit of competitive examination outcomes.
However, he emphasized that holidays should be reserved for practical home-based competencies rather than continuous classroom instruction.
“Children must be afforded the opportunity to engage in life skills, domestic responsibilities, and psychosocial well-being during breaks. Academic overload contravenes the principles of balanced learner development,” he stressed.
The Minister further highlighted systemic funding constraints affecting the effective rollout of both primary and secondary education programs nationwide.
He noted that addressing these resource gaps is critical to reducing over-reliance on holiday coaching as a shortcut to academic achievement.
Hon. Ogwang’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education to streamline school calendars and ensure policy coherence across all learning institutions.
