Parents Associations (PAs) can fundraise in support of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced.
The GES indicated that the association may explore diverse fundraising avenues for school development.
They are, however, prohibited from imposing any fees on students or pupils.
This was contained in the new guidelines document released by GES for the operation of parent associations in pre-tertiary schools.
GES further asked the PAs to operate independently, separate from school management and staff.
It directed that PAs could undertake projects to support the development and growth of the schools to which they are related, but it emphasised that the management of the schools shall have full authority over the handling of such projects without interference from PAs.
It said PAs may, through the management of the school, offer support to teachers and staff of the school through the provision of incentive packages and other welfare schemes.
No child shall be discriminated against or given preferential treatment in the official duties of the teacher or staff to which that incentive or welfare package is related, the guidelines stated.
“Aside from contributions made by PAs, individual parents or guardians may make voluntary donations or contributions to the school as that individual deems fit, and such donations shall not confer any preference or privilege on any student in terms of access to and use of the facility or donation,” GES said.
It was further noted that although school management should not be signatories to parent associations’ activities, they can participate without assuming liability for decisions made.
They are, however, required to submit their annual activities and plans for approval by school management.
Aside from these, the accounts of PAs will undergo annual audits, and audit reports must be submitted to regional directors for forwarding to the Director General of the Ghana Education Service.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
