The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) is demanding the payment of outstanding funds to senior high schools across the country.
In a press release issued on Friday, December 21, the heads of the schools called on the government to settle all outstanding bills to enable them to run their schools effectively.
According to CHASS, although the government has released some funds to certain schools, these disbursements have not fully addressed critical issues.
“While we acknowledge some recent disbursements of funds to schools, we regret to inform you that this release has not fully resolved the critical financial needs of our institutions,” the statement noted.
CHASS pointed out that some of the funds the government owes to schools include arrears for perishable items, funds for day schools and single-track schools, funds for transporting food items from distribution centres to schools, funds for essential utility bills, and recurrent funding for the schools.
The headteachers noted that the situation has posed a “serious threat to the smooth operation of schools.”
They are therefore calling on the government to urgently pay all outstanding bills to the schools. They emphasized that “These funds are critical for the successful reopening of schools in January,” adding that “without these resources, school heads will face insurmountable challenges in managing daily operations.”
The statement further warned that the government's failure to pay the funds would result in poor management of the nation’s secondary institutions and negatively impact students' well-being.
CHASS has also threatened to take action regarding the reopening of schools in January 2025.
“We will advise against the resumption of the academic calendar,” the statement concluded, “should the government fail to disburse the funds.”
Credit: Albert Kuzor