The Ministry of Education has warned school authorities across Ghana to stop charging unauthorised fees and diverting food intended for students, describing the reported practices as a breach of public trust.
Deputy Minister for Education Dr Clement Apaak said the Ministry had received troubling reports of some school managements imposing unapproved charges on parents and diverting food supplies meant for students.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of Zamse Senior High/Technical School (ZAMSTECH) in Bolgatanga, Dr Apaak said such practices were unacceptable and must stop.
“No parent should be asked to pay what was never sanctioned. No child should go hungry because food bought for their plate ended up somewhere else,” he said.
The Deputy Minister warned that school managements found engaging in such practices should not expect the Ministry to overlook them.
“Where this is happening, it must stop, and school managements across this country should hear this as a clear warning, not a suggestion,” he stated.
Dr Apaak, however, clarified that his comments were not directed at ZAMSTECH, its Board or Management, but reflected broader concerns about reports reaching the Ministry from schools across the country.
He said parents should not be compelled to pay fees that had not been approved by the appropriate authorities, while food and other resources provided for students must be used for their intended purposes.
According to him, accountability in education should extend beyond academic performance and infrastructure development to include the management of funds, food supplies and other resources entrusted to school authorities.
He stressed that resources provided by the government and parents were intended to support students’ education and welfare and should not be misappropriated.
The Deputy Minister also called on school authorities, parents, traditional leaders, alumni and other stakeholders to play their respective roles in ensuring that schools provide quality education in a safe and supportive environment.
Dr Apaak delivered the warning during ZAMSTECH’s Golden Jubilee celebration, held under the theme, “Empowering Minds and Shaping the Future: The Role of Stakeholders.”
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