Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country face a potential shutdown unless urgent action is taken to address delays in the release of feeding funds.
The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has raised alarm over what it describes as prolonged funding challenges, warning that schools may be forced to close if the situation persists.
CHASS Secretary, Primus Baro, clarified in an interview with JoyNews that although there are sufficient stocks of non-perishable food items, the lack of funds to procure perishable supplies is severely affecting feeding operations.
According to him, funding for perishables has been in arrears for the past seven months, making it difficult for school authorities to provide balanced meals for students.
“There is currently no money to supply perishables for the students, and schools are in arrears. If the government does not release the funds, it will be very difficult to run the schools, and we may have no option than to shut them down,” he said.
While non-perishable items remain available, Mr Baro noted that the absence of funds to purchase fresh produce—such as vegetables, meat, and eggs is undermining the feeding programme.
He urged government to urgently release the funds to clear the backlog and stabilise feeding in schools.
Mr Baro explained that the concerns were reiterated during a follow-up meeting with the Ghana Education Service and key stakeholders, including the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
Talks End in Deadlock
Meanwhile, negotiations between the Ministry of Education and key implementing agencies have ended in a stalemate, heightening fears of an imminent shutdown.
The crunch meeting, held on Friday, April 17, was convened by the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to address the growing food security concerns in SHSs.
Stakeholders present included CHASS, the National Food Buffer Stock Company, and GETFund.
At the centre of the impasse is the procurement of perishable food items, which remain scarce due to funding delays.
In an attempt to resolve the crisis, Mr Iddrisu directed GETFund to maintain an arrangement that would allow CHASS to independently source perishables. However, the parties failed to reach consensus.
The deadlock follows a formal petition by CHASS and the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI).
School heads say they are under immense pressure to sustain feeding, as supplies from the Buffer Stock Company dwindle and inflation erodes already constrained budgets.
For months, some headteachers have resorted to using personal funds or relying on credit from local vendors to keep students fed.
With talks collapsing, the situation has reached a critical point, raising concerns about coordination among key implementing agencies.
CHASS has escalated its concerns from private appeals to public warnings, indicating that schools may soon be forced to send students home if funds are not released immediately.
A shutdown would mark the most significant challenge to the Free SHS policy since its inception, with potential disruptions to the academic calendar and preparations for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Stakeholders are expected to reconvene in the coming days as efforts continue to find a coordinated and sustainable solution to the feeding crisis.
