Second Cycle Schools In Northern Region Face Closure

Second cycle institutions in the Northern Region of Ghana are to be closed down because feeding grants have not been released to the schools. The scholarship secretariat is yet to release the feeding grants for the second and third terms even though the academic year will end next month. The situation has compelled heads of the various schools to purchase food on credit.

The food contractors have however refused to supply them with more food on credit due to the inability of the schools to settle their debts. The schools have therefore run out of stocks. The decision to close down the schools was arrived at by members of the Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in the region.

The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mr. Jacob Bagonluri who announded this however urged the schools not to close down until Friday when he expects the issue to be resolved. Some of the schools, he disclosed are yet to settle debts that they incurred last year. “Infact this recurrent situaion is frustrating the smooth delivery of educaion in the region that is already deprived.”

The Minister for Education, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi says the Ministry is aware of the problem and all efforts are being made to have their cheques processed for immediate payment. He said the delay in payment was due to a few technical problems and urged the schools to continue with their normal academic work while an amicable solution is found to the problem.