SHS Heads Threaten to Delay Reopening Over Unpaid Government Debts

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has issued a stern warning to the government, stating that schools may not reopen for the January 2025 academic year unless outstanding debts are fully settled.

In a press release dated Friday, December 21, CHASS expressed grave concerns over the government’s failure to address critical financial obligations for senior high schools nationwide. The debts include arrears for essential services such as food supplies, transportation, utilities, and other operational expenses necessary for both day and boarding schools.

“While we acknowledge some recent disbursements of funds to schools, these releases have not fully resolved the critical financial needs of our institutions,” CHASS stated.

The association emphasized that the delayed payments are having a severe impact on the smooth functioning of schools, posing significant challenges to the provision of quality education. They noted that the situation threatens the well-being of students and the effective operation of the academic calendar.

“This situation has posed a serious threat to the smooth operation of schools and could negatively impact students’ well-being,” the statement warned.

CHASS has urged the government to prioritize the immediate settlement of these debts to avoid disruptions in the academic calendar and to ensure a smooth reopening in January.

The group highlighted the urgency of the matter, stressing that the continued operation of schools depends heavily on timely financial support from the government. If unresolved, this financial crisis could jeopardize the future of Ghana’s education system and disrupt the academic progress of thousands of students.