The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has expressed surprise and disappointment over recent remarks by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, regarding the quality of food served in senior high schools.
The Minister had raised concerns about what he described as the “poor quality of food” being served to students and hinted that the government may consider reversing its decision to allow school heads to directly procure food, one of the key promises in the NDC’s education policy.
The policy, outlined in the party’s manifesto, grants school heads and bursars the authority to purchase food locally as part of efforts to improve quality and efficiency in the school feeding programme.
Reacting to the Minister’s statement, National Secretary of CHASS, Primus Baro, said the comments were unexpected and had not been raised in any engagements with the Ministry or the Ghana Education Service.
“We have not received any formal reports suggesting that schools are serving poor-quality food. The feedback we’ve received rather indicates improvement since headteachers began procuring food themselves,” he told Citi News on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Baro clarified that while CHASS is not necessarily insisting on maintaining control over food procurement, the current arrangement was recommended due to persistent challenges under the previous centralized model, including delays and substandard supplies.
“We’re open to whatever decision government takes but expect that, if centralised procurement returns, food is delivered on time and in the right quantities.”
He also urged that concerns about food quality be handled internally and constructively, rather than in the media, to avoid creating a misleading impression based on isolated incidents.
On the issue of funding, Baro acknowledged some delays in recent disbursements due to administrative changes but confirmed that funds had since been released, although some arrears remain unpaid.