Leadership representatives from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has engaged Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), on the indicted headmasters,.
The primary agenda of the meeting was to deliberate on the potential reinstatement of headmasters who had faced interdiction due to allegations of charging unapproved fees.
Speaking in an interview, te General-Secretary of the GNAT, Thomas Musah, underscored the need for such engagement.
“We felt we needed to engage GES further because it is not always that you rush to the public domain. For this one, we felt we needed to engage GES to see how best we could iron out all the differences and the issues. Yesterday, the national executives of the GNAT, and CHASS had a fruitful discussion with the Director-General and the leadership of the GES and I want to use this opportunity to thank the Director-General for the fruitful discussions.
“The outcome of all the issues that were discussed will be communicated to them and believe that their President will do the same and get back to them. I believe that by the close of the day all the issues and all the difficulties, the differences that came up leading to the interdictions will be put to rest. I believe that head teachers in these different areas will soon be considered.”
Thomas Musah
He pleaded that the Director-General and the GES would tamper justice with mercy with all the issues that have happened based upon the fruitful discussions they had with him.
Headmasters in seven Senior High Schools in te Ashanti Region were asked to step aside for collecting unauthorized monies from candidates placed in their schools.
This was contained in directives issued by the GES to these head teachers via separate letters.
The senior high schools were; Kumasi Girls, Asanteman, Kumasi, Manso Adubia, Agric Nzema Community, Nkawie, and Collins Senior High School.
The letter listed the unauthorized monies to include payments for; sewn anniversary cloth, House dues, sale of books, sale of calculators, and sale of anniversary cloth among others.
Lasting Solution To Unapproved Fees
Addressing the issue of unapproved fees in the education sector requires a comprehensive and lasting solution that ensures the fair and transparent operation of schools. One crucial step is the establishment of clear guidelines and regulations regarding permissible fees, endorsed by educational authorities. These guidelines should be communicated effectively to all stakeholders, including school administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
Regular monitoring and auditing mechanisms need to be implemented to detect and prevent the imposition of unapproved fees. This involves creating a system where schools are periodically reviewed to ensure compliance with the established fee structure. Any deviations should be promptly addressed, and corrective measures implemented to rectify the situation.
Furthermore, fostering open communication channels between educational authorities, school management, and parents is vital. This facilitates the reporting of concerns related to fees and encourages a collaborative approach in resolving disputes. Workshops and training programs for school administrators on adherence to fee guidelines and ethical practices can contribute to a culture of compliance and accountability.
In the long term, educational policies should be revisited and adapted to address the financial needs of schools adequately. Adequate and timely funding from government sources can help mitigate the necessity for additional fees, ensuring that quality education remains accessible to all students, regardless of their economic background.
Combining these strategies, a lasting solution can be achieved, promoting a transparent and accountable educational environment that prioritizes the financial well-being of students and the ethical operation of educational institutions.
Ultimately, a collaborative effort involving educational authorities, schools, and parents is essential in building a sustainable framework that eliminates unapproved fees and contributes to a fair and accessible education system for all.
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