Public SHSs unable to reopen for third term in three regions of the north

Confirmation

The Northern Regional Director of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon who confirmed this to the Daily Graphic in Tamale explained that the previous government left behind arrears of two-and-half terms before exiting power, while the current government was in arrears for one term.

He said it was, therefore, the responsibility of the government to pay the arrears to the schools to enable them to reopen for the third term.

With the development, he said the schools would remain closed for the third term since suppliers insist that they could not continue to supply until they were paid their arrears.

Alhaji Haroon made a passionate appeal to the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Sa-eed, as a matter of urgency to do something about the situation since the students were losing contact hours.

Decision not to reopen

Alhaji Haroon stated that the decision not to reopen was taken by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) following the position taken by the suppliers.

He added that CHASS took that decision because if they reopen and the students are not fed well, they may blame the school heads.

Alhaji Haroon said some of the suppliers called at his office to complain that they were indebted to the banks and as a result the banks had refused to extend further credit to them.

Besides, the suppliers said interests on loans they took from the banks continued to build up.

Future plans

Alhaji Haroon disclosed that he was in discussion with a group of young farmers called the Sisa Agro-Trade Investment who said they could supply the schools with food items on credit.

Meanwhile, a source at the Scholarship Secretariat told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that efforts were being made to pay the arrears.