Executives of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in Ghana yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Mr. Paul Adjei at his office in Accra.
The delegation, which was led by its chairman Rev. Fr. Dr. Stephen Owusu Sekyere, was to discuss critical challenges relating to feeding, procurement bottlenecks, provision of furniture, as well as teaching and learning materials confronting senior high schools throughout the country which require immediate resolution.
Among the key concerns raised was the timely release of funds ahead of school reopening, particularly to cater for perishables and student feeding as well as payment of outstanding vendors which has been a major source of worry for almost all school heads.
Rev. Owusu Sekyere appealed for the timely release of core literature books, including Anowa, the 4-in-1 Poetry books, and Between the Wars. In addition, he requested that schools be migrated from prepaid electricity meters unto postpaid systems, citing the financial challenges associated with pre-financing utilities.
He further highlighted the need for the timely payment of interventions for teachers, especially as students prepare for their final examinations in April. Other issues raised included the release of tablets for students to help address inequalities between those who have already received the digital devices and those who have not.
Mr. Paul Adjei acknowledged the concerns raised and outlined the necessary steps being taken to address them in collaboration with Hon. Benita Sena Okity-Duah, Coordinator of the Free Senior High School Secretariat, who was present at the meeting, indicating that there is a cabinet memorandum directing feeding arrangements for all schools which must be strictly complied with.
On the issue of payment of outstanding foodstuff suppliers, Mr. Paul Adjei expressed his strict compliance to the law, explaining that “we can only pay distributors who have signed contracts with us, in order not to fall foul of the law”, adding that the ministry of finance has amended the commitment authorization which he has communicated to all entities that derive payment from GETFund.
The Administrator however expressed optimism that all vetted outstanding payments will be made in the coming weeks, while calling on all stakeholders involved in the value chain to engage in finding a lasting solution to this problem.
He also took the opportunity to inform the leadership of a new fundraising initiative to be launched soon which allows old students to contribute to specific school projects implemented by GETFund. Under this initiative, contributions made in partnership with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) can be used as tax returns at the end of the year.
The delegation included the CHASS national secretary, Mr. Baro Primus, national vice secretary, Mr. David Odjodja and national treasurer Mr. Gordon Osei Marfo.