Figures of Second and third year students to be used to advance fees

Accra, Nov.14, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has decided to use the figures for second and third year students to advance funds for the payment of government subsidy to second cycle schools to relieve the burden on the schools.

This has become necessary because as at November 10th, only 46 second cycle schools had supplied the information required for the payment of their subsidies.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the sector Minister said what had delayed the payment of the subsidies was the inability of some schools to supply the ministry with signed list and total enrolment figures of students who were expected to benefit form the subsidies.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, said this in Parliament on Friday when Dr Mustapha Ahmed, NDC-Ayawaso East on behalf of Mr Yaw Effah-Baafi, NDC- Kintampo asked what immediate steps the ministry was taking to provide funds the government agreed to release for the payment of part of fees on behalf of students in second cycle schools.

The Minister said when the remaining figures are received moneys in respect with the figures together with the shortfalls will be paid to the schools.

Mr John Tia, NDC- Talensi asked the Minister whether some of the heads of schools were not justified in closing down their schools for the lack of funds.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said they were not justified since they failed to submit the needed information for the payment of the subsidies.

Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni, NDC-Kumbungu asked the Minister whether a percentage of the amount could not have been released to avert the problems facing the schools.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said because of the delay in submitting information on the students, the figures of last year second and third year students were used for advance payment of monies to the schools.

When Mr Modestus Ahiable, NDC-Ketu North, asked how soon the release would be made, the Minister said a committee was working with the Ministry Finance and Economic Planning for the release of the amount in at least ten days time.