The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) is calling on the government to increase operational funding for senior high schools by 20 per cent and settle outstanding debts owed to creditors.
CHASS President, Rev. Fr. Stephen Owusu Sekyere, said inadequate funding and delays in releasing allocations had placed significant financial pressure on school administrations, making it difficult to meet essential expenses, including practical lessons, examinations, food supplies and academic materials.
Speaking at the 64th annual CHASS conference in Ho, he urged the government to review school allocations to reflect prevailing economic conditions and ensure institutions can operate effectively.
“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 said.
Rev. Fr. Sekyere also called for the timely release of funds and the settlement of outstanding obligations that continue to strain school finances.
Beyond operational funding, he urged the government to invest in essential school infrastructure, including classroom and dormitory furniture, school buses and utility vehicles. He also called for the completion of abandoned and outstanding school projects to improve teaching and learning conditions across senior high schools.
On technology in education, the CHASS President advocated restrictions on social media access on government-provided student tablets, arguing that the measure would minimise distractions and help students concentrate on their academic work.
