By Frank Kwame Abbor, GNA
Ho, Oct. 19, (GNA) – The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has urged the Government to release funds to senior high schools promptly, settle outstanding arrears and review tax and procurement measures it says are placing additional financial pressure on schools.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of CHASS’s 64th Annual National Conference, held at Mawuli School in Ho, Volta Region, from October 11 to 17, 2026, on the theme: “Student Discipline in a Challenging World: Context, Challenges and a Constructive Way Forward.” The communiqué sighted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) was signed by Rev. Fr. Stephen Owusu-Sekyere, President of CHASS, and Mr Primus Baro, Secretary of the association.
CHASS identified delays in the release of inadequate funds as its primary challenge, expressing concern that the situation persisted despite the establishment of a dedicated funding source for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, which the association had strongly advocated. It said the delays were undermining the effective administration of schools and called for a more reliable funding arrangement.
The Association said it would no longer accept explanations based on discrepancies in school data to justify delays, recalling that funds for first-year students were withheld throughout the 2025/2026 academic year. It also called for the full payment of outstanding arrears, including legacy recurrent grants accumulated between 2021 and 2024, to enable schools to settle longstanding debts to suppliers and other creditors.
On emergency food procurement, CHASS said heads of schools had been authorised by the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to procure food items for students during November and December 2025, but the funds needed to pay the suppliers had yet to be released. The situation, it said, had left some suppliers pursuing school heads for payment, despite the procurement having been officially authorised.
The association urged the Government to settle the outstanding food-procurement bills without further delay to ease the financial burden on school heads. It said the affected administrators should not be left to bear the consequences of unpaid obligations arising from purchases made under official instructions.
CHASS also called for a review of measures involving Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic academic resources and the procurement of perishable food items, which it said were contributing to the financial difficulties facing schools. “We appeal to the Government to review these measures to ensure that adequate funds are available to schools,” the communiqué stated, adding that sufficient and timely funding was essential to effective school administration.
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to improving student discipline and academic performance, stressing that school leaders needed adequate resources to deliver quality education. It called on the Government to address the funding delays, clear the arrears, and review the procurement-related measures to enable schools to meet their obligations and focus on teaching and learning.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade