CHASS raises alarm over school indiscipline, funding delays
The Conference of Heads of Second Cycle Schools (CHASS) has raised concerns over increasing cases of indiscipline among students and staff in senior high schools across the country.
The association strongly condemned such behaviour and assured parents and other stakeholders of its commitment to protecting the safety and welfare of students.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its 64th Annual National Conference in the Volta Region, CHASS pledged to support appropriate disciplinary measures against any staff member found culpable, while insisting that due process and fairness must be upheld.
The conference was held under the theme: “Student Discipline in a Challenging World: Context, Challenges and a Constructive Way Forward.”
The communiqué was signed by the CHASS President, Reverend Father Stephen Owusu Sekyere, and the General Secretary, Primus Baro.
CHASS identified prolonged delays in the release of inadequate funds as the major challenge facing school heads, despite the establishment of a dedicated funding source for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which the association had strongly advocated.
The association said it would no longer accept explanations relating to data discrepancies, which resulted in first-year funding being withheld throughout the 2025/2026 academic year.
It called for the full payment of all outstanding arrears, including recurrent grant debts accumulated between 2021 and 2024, to enable schools to settle long-standing obligations to suppliers and other creditors.
On emergency procurement, CHASS explained that heads of schools had been authorised by the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to urgently procure food items for students in November and December 2025.
However, the funds required to reimburse suppliers had yet to be released, leaving some suppliers pursuing school heads for payment.
The association appealed to the government to settle the outstanding amounts without further delay to ease the financial pressure on heads of schools.
CHASS also called for an upward review of the GH¢2.85 daily allocation per student for perishable food items, arguing that the amount no longer reflected prevailing market prices.
It said the same problem affected other items covered by the recurrent grant and urged the government to adjust the allocations to current economic conditions to ensure students received nutritious meals.
The association further expressed concern that the procurement of perishable food items and other essential academic resources attracted a 20 per cent VAT, as required by auditors.
It appealed to the government to urgently waive the tax, arguing that it placed an additional burden on already inadequate school funds.
The school heads called for clarity on the government’s proposed policy to allow schools to procure 40 per cent of essential food items at the local level.
According to CHASS, clear guidance on the decentralised procurement arrangement would help schools provide adequate meals while supporting local economic activities.
CHASS warned that supplying students with tablets without charging units posed a safety risk to school facilities, citing concerns that uncontrolled charging could contribute to frequent fire outbreaks in schools.
It called for the immediate distribution of charging units to all schools and urged the Ministry of Education to direct the supplier to deactivate social media functions on the devices to ensure they were used strictly for educational purposes.
The association also recommended the reintroduction of textbooks for students rather than relying solely on tablets.
The association noted that a year had passed since the government announced plans to restore Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in schools, but legal disputes continued to hinder their effective operation.
It warned that the prolonged uncertainty was negatively affecting schools and students and called for parents and guardians to be allowed to fulfil their responsibilities in the best interests of their children without unnecessary restrictions.
CHASS also raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in schools and recommended replacing the traditional watchman system with trained, properly equipped and educated security personnel.
It further called for the urgent recruitment of essential non-teaching staff to fill existing vacancies in schools.
Despite the concerns raised, CHASS commended the government for its continued efforts to improve secondary education and sustain the Free SHS policy.
The association praised the decision to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), which it said would help make additional resources available to support the policy.
It also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service for maintaining a stable and uninterrupted academic calendar, particularly the restoration of the pre-COVID-19 school calendar.
CHASS further welcomed the publication of a new Scheme of Service that separates positions from ranks within the Ghana Education Service.
The association praised the Minister for Education for organising the National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in July 2026, particularly the declaration of a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, bullying and criminal conduct in secondary schools.
It also acknowledged the government’s efforts to secure a US$300 million World Bank facility to improve school infrastructure and end the double-track system by 2028.
CHASS urged the government to accelerate the process by constructing new facilities, completing abandoned projects and supplying furniture to schools.
It said transitioning to a single-track academic calendar would reduce operational costs, ease pressure on staff and infrastructure, and support the uninterrupted delivery of the curriculum.
CHASS commended heads of schools for their leadership, resilience, courage and sacrifices in managing institutions despite numerous challenges.
It also recognised the contributions of teachers, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders to the effective running of senior high schools.
The association concluded by acknowledging the Education Minister’s assurances that the challenges confronting secondary schools would be addressed, particularly the timely and regular release of funds and the government’s commitment to ending the double-track system.
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