A Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament has asked the government to with immediate effect increase the cost per head under the school feeding programme from 90 pesewas to Ghc3.50 pesewas.
The MP for Builsa South said it was about time the government took steps to address some challenges confronting the sector.
He is also asking the government to clear all capitation grant arrears owed basic schools before any decision to increase it.
He referenced the letter saying the government stated that while continuing to provide support to secondary and basic education, we will aim to improve foundational learning by increasing capitation grant.
He lamented that although the government has made this pledge to the IMF, it has failed to disburse it in four tranches.
The situation he noted is putting extra pressure on teaching and learning at the basic level.
He said the government now agrees that it is going to increase capitation grant but the most important thing is for it to move quickly and pay all outstanding arrears.
“The government ought to move very quickly to pay all outstanding arrears before it thinks of increasing the capitation grants,” he said in an interview.
He further wants all printers and publishers who are owed to be paid for the contract they were awarded to print textbooks for basic schools.
To him, any further delay in paying these arrears and that of Buffer Stock for food supplied to secondary schools would be detrimental.
“IMF Bailout and Education: a) Pay sch feeding caterers, increase fee to ghc3.50p; b) Clear capitation grant arrears owed basic sch (4 terms); c) Pay printers and publishers of basic sch textbooks; d) Pay Buffer Stock Company, food suppliers. Any further delay is detrimental!”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
