Ban PTAs if it conflicts with Free SHS policy – NAGRAT tells government

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has urged the Ministry of Education to consider banning the Parents Association (PA) scheme in Senior High Schools (SHSs) if it conflicts with the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.

This comes after the interdiction of headteachers from Ahantaman Senior High School and St. Roses Senior High School, Akwatia, by the Ghana Education Service (GES), following allegations that the schools had collected unauthorised fees.

NAGRAT insists that these fees were introduced by the Parents Association and not by the schools’ management, arguing that the punishment imposed on the headteachers is unjust.

During a press confrence on NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu called for the immediate reinstatement of the affected headteachers, asserting that the schools should not be held accountable for the actions of the Parents Association.

“With the coming in of the Free Senior High School, the role of the PTAs was abandoned. What we now have in the schools is the Parents Association without the teachers,” Mr. Carbonu explained.

He further elaborated that in the case of the interdicted headteachers, the Parents Association had independently agreed to raise funds for a specific cause.

"If the ministry feels that the presence of the PAs is negatively affecting the smooth running of the schools within the context of Free SHS, the ministry can ban the formation of PAs outrightly,” Mr. Carbonu added.