The President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Rev. Fr. Stephen Owusu Sekyere, has called on the government to increase operational funding for senior high schools by 20% and settle outstanding debts owed to regulatory creditors.
Speaking at the 64th annual CHASS conference in Ho, he said delayed and inadequate fund releases had left school authorities struggling to meet essential expenses, including practical lessons, examinations and the rising cost of food and academic materials.
He urged the government to expedite fund releases, clear outstanding debts and invest in essential infrastructure, including classroom and dormitory furniture, school buses and utility vehicles.
Rev. Fr. Owusu Sekyere also called for the completion of outstanding school projects and restrictions on social media access on government-provided student tablets to minimise distractions and promote academic work.
“We appeal to the government to upwardly adjust these allocations to align with current economic conditions. Our standard finances running from 2021 to 2024 remain unpaid and require full settlement to enable schools to clear their long-standing indebtedness to benevolent creditors,” he appealed.
