The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools has expressed concern over the non-payment of capitation grants meant for the operationalization of basic schools in the past two years. According to the association, this situation has been impeding the progress of teaching and learning in schools.
The General Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools, Justice Adu Darko, confirmed to Citi News that they are yet to receive any funds.
“The amount itself is inadequate looking at the prices of commodities of late. The last time it was paid was in 2019/2020. This means that for 2021, 2022 and now 2023, we haven’t received anything. Those running their schools only on capitation are really suffering. Notwithstanding, we met with the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, and he admitted the challenges and promised to ensure that the capitation is released on time”, he bemoaned.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Education announced that GH¢11 million had been released to schools as of November 2022. However, the Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has cautioned the government about the delay in paying capitation grants to various basic schools.
The legislator believes that this delay is gradually collapsing the public basic school system and has called on the government to take immediate action to avert the situation.
“This is a grant that the heads of basic schools used to procure basic supplies like chalk, registers, and to engage in basic fixtures like doors and windows. So when government fails to make this available, the heads of basic schools are compelled to either borrow money to keep the schools running or to take some of these items and services on loans. In fact, this is collapsing the public basic school system and I think it’s most unfortunate. Government needs to do the needful,” the MP stated.
On Sunday, January 1, 2023, Kofi Asare, the Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, urged the Ministry of Finance to release the funds in full to schools.
According to the Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, “l don’t see anything positive happening at the capitation grants in 2023, because if you look at the goods and services budget line of the Ministry of Finance where the capitation grant is actually financed, the reason why the grant is delaying is that the Ministry of Finance is not releasing the goods and services allocation to the Ghana Education Service and Ministry of Education,”
He expressed doubt about any potential improvements and criticized the government for cutting down on the capitation grants.
“Last year 2022, GH¢2.92 million was allocated for basic education in terms of the goods and services, capitation grants and teacher learning resources, feeding grants to special schools, BECE subsidiary, but when the minister went to Parliament to read the 2023 budget, less than 19% had been disbursed. As of now, less than 20 percent has been disbursed.”
Source: Coverghana.com.gh
