We will advise against the resumption of the academic calendar - CHASS tells Education Minister

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has urged the Ministry of Education to immediately release outstanding funds critical for the effective running of Senior High Schools (SHSs) as they gear up for the 2025 academic year.

In a letter signed by CHASS National Secretary, Primus Baro, the group cited earlier letters sent on August 12 and September 20, 2024, as well as commitments made by the Minister of Education during a Zoom meeting on December 18, 2024. However, these commitments have yet to be honored.

CHASS highlighted that unpaid arrears for perishable goods, utility bills, and other operational needs continue to disrupt the smooth functioning of SHSs across Ghana, calling for swift government intervention to resolve the issue.

The association stressed that the release of these funds is essential to ensuring that schools can reopen as planned on January 3, 2025.

Without the necessary resources, CHASS warned that school heads would struggle to deliver quality education, maintain infrastructure, and safeguard students’ well-being.

“We, therefore, serve formal notice that, unless all outstanding monies as stated above are released to the schools before the reopening date scheduled for January 3, 2025, we will advise against the resumption of the academic calendar,” parts of the letter read.

CHASS appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to prioritize the disbursement of the funds to facilitate smooth operations in Senior High Schools.