Public Basic Schools in Ghana reopened on Tuesday, 13th September. This is the second week into the reopening of the third term for the 2021/2022 academic year.
However, the issues of textbooks and payment of the capitation grant remain unresolved:
1) Textbooks: Checks indicate that basic schools are yet to receive the long awaited textbooks. This is in spite of the fact that the Minister for Education promised and reiterated that the books will be available by the time schools resumed, when he appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Government Assurances a few weeks ago.
Even before the Minister's appearance before the committee, he and his Deputy told the nation via various media interactions that the books were being moved to the regions from various printing houses for onward distribution to the schools. They assured that pupils will have textbooks when schools reopen. Well schools are in session, so why are the books not in the classrooms as promised?
2) Capitation Grant: The capitation grant is in arrears for six tranches, which constitutes six terms. Information from heads of basic schools confirm that not even a pesewa has been paid for the 2021/2022 academic year.
Before Parliament went on recess, I asked the Minister for Education to tell the nation how much was owed schools in respect of the grant, and when the arrears will be paid, on the floor of Parliament. He agreed that government owed schools the capitation grant. He added that Ghc 14 million had been made available to pay some of the arrears. The legitimate questions to ask are;
a) Where did the Ghc 14 million go, and,
b) How are schools expected to function effectively and efficiently without the grant?
The Minister for Education must address these matters with dispatch. Our basic schools need the textbooks and the capitation grant now.
Source: Dr. Clement Apaak M.P, Builsa South/Deputy Ranking Member, Education Committee of Parliament
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If I were the NDC, I would always remain silent on issues affecting the economy's downturn. Aside from the structural deficit left by colonial rule, the NDC-regimes' poor handling of the economy is a major factor. Astonishingly, NDC-administrations had not pursued any structural reforms in terms of set-down policies to promote industrialization, like the NPP's one district, one factory program and massive educational reforms to produce the requisite skills. It must be clear to the NDC that Ghanaians can appreciate the competence of the successive regims in the fourth republic of Ghana. As a result, they are well prepared to vote in the 2024 elections by virtue of the benefits of comparing the performance of successive administrations. Please stop underrating the intelligence of Ghanaians. And I advise Ghanaians to stay away from negative people, for they have a problem for every solution.
The textbooks have not procuredone because you and your cohorts have looted the nation's coffers .Daawa even common chalk your government could not provide, now you mouth to talk about textbook.You have no shame
Appak, MP's are given monies from GETFUND, use your share to procure text books for basic schools in your constituency. If the gave a promise which has not been met, take your phone and ask him why the delay, he will explain. You are with him in Accra, the minister is also an MP, MP's have a what's app platform, ask him on the platform. You people think you are smart. In opposition you care a lot. In government you behave as if you have never sat in the 4 walls of a classroom..