The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has urged the Government to release funds to senior high schools promptly, clear outstanding grants and food procurement bills, and review tax and procurement measures it says are worsening financial pressures on school administrators.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its 64th Annual National Conference, held at Mawuli School in Ho, Volta Region, from October 11 to 17, 2026, the association identified delayed and inadequate funding as its primary concern, warning that the situation was undermining effective school administration and leaving heads struggling to meet financial obligations.
The conference, held on the theme, “Student Discipline in a Challenging World: Context, Challenges and a Constructive Way Forward,” expressed concern that the challenges persisted despite the establishment of a dedicated funding source for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, an arrangement CHASS had strongly advocated.
The communiqué, signed by CHASS President Rev. Fr. Stephen Owusu-Sekyere and Secretary Mr Primus Baro, rejected the continued use of discrepancies in school data to justify delays, recalling that funds for first-year students had been withheld throughout the 2025/2026 academic year.
It called for a reliable disbursement system that would ensure schools received adequate resources on time to plan expenditure, procure essential supplies and meet their obligations.
Outstanding grants, food bills
CHASS also demanded the payment of legacy recurrent grant arrears accumulated between 2021 and 2024, saying the outstanding amounts had left schools struggling to settle debts owed to suppliers and other creditors.
The association further raised concerns over unpaid bills for emergency food procurement undertaken by school heads in November and December 2025.
It said the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) had authorised the purchases, but the funds required to pay suppliers had yet to be released.
Consequently, some suppliers had been pursuing school heads for payment despite the purchases having been made under official instructions.
CHASS urged the Government to settle the bills without further delay, arguing that administrators should not bear the financial consequences of obligations incurred under authorised directives. It said clearing the arrears would ease pressure on school heads and help preserve relationships with suppliers of essential goods and services.
Review VAT, procurement measures
The association also called for a review of measures relating to Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic academic resources and the procurement of perishable food items, which it said were adding to schools’ financial difficulties.
“We appeal to the Government to review these measures to ensure that adequate funds are available to schools,” the communiqué stated.
CHASS maintained that adequate resources and workable procurement arrangements were essential to effective school management and the delivery of quality education.
Discipline and academic performance
The conference also addressed student discipline and the challenges confronting school leaders. CHASS reaffirmed its commitment to improving discipline and academic performance, stressing that administrators needed the necessary resources to create an environment conducive to teaching and learning.
It urged the Government to resolve the funding delays, settle outstanding grants and food procurement bills, and review the measures identified in the communiqué to enable schools to meet their obligations and focus on educational outcomes.
