The Greater Accra Regional branch of Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) is threatening to close down Senior High Schools (SHS) in the region following government’s delay in paying subsidies.
CHASS says it is struggling to effectively manage the affairs of Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country due to the delay in the payment of subsidies to schools.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) earlier disclosed that the first tranche of subsidy payments to government assisted SHS will be effected between July 14 and 19.
But the President of CHASS, Samuel Ofori Adjei on Eyewitness News said the government has failed to pay subsidies which spans a period of three terms.
The money was to cover expenses such as utilities, maintenance of office equipment and other important items.
He indicated that heads of schools “are in a fix…because if you [government] are not paying us, what do you expect us to do?”
Mr. Ofori Adjei announced that all the regional chairmen of CHASS will be meeting in Accra next week “with their regional positions on the matter.”
He suggested that to prevent the annual event where the payment of the subsidy is delayed, measures should be put in place to allow “those who are capable to pay.”
“There are various organizations around who can help us to identify those who are really in need and let them be looked after by these subsidies,” he added.
The CHASS president stated that if education is highly regarded and if there are available funds to support the payment of subsidies, “then why not, let’s go ahead and do it.”
“But if the monies will not be paid and for that matter, the quality of education we want to deliver will be watered down, then I’s sorry, we are not putting our priorities right!” he remarked.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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