The Episcopal Chairman of Education to the Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions, Most Rev.Joseph Afrifa Agyekum has criticized government for the unending feeding challenges in second Cycle Institutions stating that some schools are borrowing food items among themselves to feed students.
According to him, the situation is worrying and therefore deserve some pragmatic solutions.
“Times are hard but even before this time I know very well and I can mention over here some of the challenges that you are going through which unfortunately you are unable to even voice out because of fear of being victimized.You are trading food items among yourselves.The one who doesn’t have sardine , corn , rice will go to school ‘A’ or ‘B’ and you borrow some and the other one will do the same and so food is being as it well cycled around just to be able to feed your students.
He said this when addressing the 43rd Annual Conference of the Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI) at Pastoral Center in Koforidua on Wednesday June 7,2023 under the theme “A synodal church: The role of the catholic head in promoting communion, participation and mission in our schools”.
Most.Rev.Afrifa Agyekum who is Bishop of Koforidua Diocese of the Catholic Church also called on Heads of Catholic Higher Institutions to speak out for government to end fraud in the supply chain of food to schools by National Food Buffer Stock Company.
He added that “I know it is very challenging but there are points that we need to also speak about what is brought to you.How much and what do you sign for I don’t want to talk about that but you know what you are signing for and you sign for it instead of 50 kilos they bring you 20 or 25 you sign for 50 it is happening.Ghana must hear but unfortunately some of you also connive and even when it is not so you go on air and say it is so. I am very much aware that some of your children are eating almost the same food in a day tom brown in the morning tom brown for supper “
The comments by the Bishop follows call by the Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI) in Ghana on government to fast track intended review of the Free Senior High School policy to resolve challenges bedeviling the policy since implementation.
The association says for instance that ,free feeding component as well as provision of free uniform reviewed for parents to bare for the money saved to be diverted to support feeding of the students.
President of Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions, Sr.Benedicta Uzokwe explained the position of the Association in an interview that, “sometimes it is very disheartening when you have the less previlige ones .Those from good homes they have the money they can go and buy food for themselves but the less privilege ones when there is no food they become stranded but if there is a way that parents should he allowed to pay something to support even if the weak ones cannot pay, money paid by the well to do parents can help support as well, so we are thinking that is there must be some kind of review that the parents can be allowed to take some aspect”.
“Even for uniforms most of the first years have not gotten their uniforms .I don’t blame the government much probably there are not enough funds to deal with all these things .So we are thinking that if the parents can be allowed to take uniforms that money can be used towards providing food or vis -vesa there should be some kind of review.
Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong commended Heads of Catholic Schools for their pivotal role in sustaining discipline and keeping the schools running in spite of the challenges that confronts them.
“The achievement of this specific aim of the catholic school depends not so much on subject matter or methodology but on the people who work there. The Head of institution, therefore, plays a pivotal role among those who work in the school. In spite of the challenges you encounter in the execution of your duties, you continue to ensure improved performance of your respective institutions. As an old student of a catholic school, I am proud to state that Catholic schools are attractive and unique not only for high moral standards but also discipline and hard work.I, therefore, wish to commend you for doing a good job’.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
