The Conference of Heads of Second Cycle Schools (CHASS) has expressed deep concern about the rising cases of indiscipline among students and staff in senior high schools.
The association strongly condemned such acts and assured parents and stakeholders of its commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of all students.
“We will support any appropriate sanctions meted out to any staff if found culpable, while insisting on a fair and unbiased process,” CHASS said in a communique issued at the end of its 64th Annual National Conference in the Volta Region.
The conference was themed: “Student Discipline in a Challenging World: Context, Challenges and a Constructive Way Forward.”
The communique was signed by the President of CHASS, Reverend Father Stephen Owusu Sekyere, and the General Secretary, Mr Primus Baro.
Delays in release of funds
The association said the primary challenge confronting its members was the long delays in the release of insufficient funds, despite the establishment of a dedicated source of funding for the Free SHS policy, which CHASS strongly advocated.
“We would no longer accept excuses and explanations of data discrepancies that led to the bitter experience in the 2025/26 academic year where first-year funds were withheld for the whole year. We look forward to the full payment of all arrears, including the legacy arrears of recurrent grant spanning 2021 to 2024 to enable schools clear their longstanding indebtedness to benevolent creditors,” it said.
Emergency procurement payments
On emergency procurement, CHASS said heads were officially authorised by the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service to urgently procure food items to feed students in November and December 2025.
It said the money was yet to be released to pay the suppliers, some of whom were chasing innocent heads for their money.
“We request that this is settled without any further delays to relieve Heads of this overwhelming burden,” it said.
Upward adjustment of feeding grant
The communique said the current rate of GH¢2.85 per student per day for perishable items no longer reflected market realities. The same challenge, it said, applied to all items under the recurrent grant.
“We strongly appeal to the Government to upwardly adjust these allocations to align with current economic conditions and to ensure that students are fed with nutritious meals,” it said.
On the waiver of VAT on school procurement, CHASS said it was worrying that procurement of perishable food items and other basic academic resources attracted 20 per cent VAT, as insisted by auditors.
“We appeal to government to urgently waive such tax since its incidence is burdening the already woefully inadequate funds,” it said.
Food procurement policy
The heads requested clarity on the government’s policy of decentralised procurement of 40 per cent of essential food items at the school level, as originally proposed, to feed students effectively and impact the local economy.
Student tablets and digital safety
The communique said the supply of tablets to students without charging units was a threat to the safety of school facilities, since unregulated charging of tablets was a probable cause of the rampant fire outbreaks in schools.
“We request immediate supply of the charging units to all schools. We also urge the Ministry of Education to direct the Supplier to deactivate social media functions on the tablets, to ensure they remain strictly dedicated to educational purposes. We further recommend the reintroduction of textbooks to students instead of the reliance on tablets,” it emphasised.
Restoration of PTAs
CHASS said it had been a year since the government announced the restoration of parent-teacher associations in schools, but legal controversies were affecting their effective operationalisation.
It said the longer the impasse prolonged, the more schools and students suffered.
“We request that parents/guardians should freely be allowed to exercise their duty of care in the best interest of their wards in the respective schools without let or hindrance,” it said.
The association also noted with grave concern the deteriorating security situation in schools and recommended a shift from the outdated watchman system to the deployment of properly trained, well-equipped and educated security personnel. It further requested the urgent recruitment of critical non-teaching staff to fill existing vacancies.
Commendations
CHASS expressed appreciation to the government for its continuous efforts to advance secondary education and the Free SHS policy.
It commended the government for the creation of a dedicated source of funding for the Free SHS policy by uncapping the Ghana Education Trust Fund to make adequate resources available.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service for a stable, uninterrupted academic calendar, especially restoring the calendar to the pre-COVID era,” it said.
It also commended the publication of a new Scheme of Service that decouples “post” from “rank” in the Ghana Education Service.
Minister’s initiative
CHASS commended the Minister for Education for convening the National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in July 2026, particularly for the declaration of a zero-tolerance policy on violence, bullying and any criminal conduct in secondary institutions.
It acknowledged the government’s effort in securing a World Bank facility of US$300 million to improve infrastructure in schools and end the double-track system by 2028.
“We strongly urge government to expedite measures to fully achieve this target through the provision of new facilities, completion of stalled projects and supply of furniture. Transitioning to a unified single-track calendar will significantly lower operational costs, reduce stress on staff and infrastructure, and ensure uninterrupted implementation of the curriculum,” it said.
Leadership
The communique praised heads of schools for their extraordinary leadership, courage, resilience and sacrifice in managing the schools despite numerous challenges. It also recognised the contributions of teachers, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders.
“Finally, CHASS commends the Honourable Minister for Education for the assurances given to resolve challenges confronting Senior High Schools in Ghana, including ending the double track system and ensuring timely and regular release of funds,” it said.