Current arrangements for Heads of SHS to procure food is temporary – Apaak

Deputy Education Minister-Designate, Dr. Clement Apaak, has revealed that the current arrangement for heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) to procure food for students is temporary. This disclosure was made during his vetting process, where he was asked about the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy, specifically on the feeding of students.

According to Dr. Apaak, “the current arrangement, which is temporary… is to provide resources to the heads of the institutions to procure food to feed the students.” He attributed the temporary nature of this arrangement to the fact that the John Dramani Mahama-led government is yet to present a budget.

Amidst widespread reports of food shortages in various senior high schools, the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has appealed to parents and guardians to supplement their children’s food supplies. The National Food Suppliers Association has also cited its inability to deliver food to schools due to the absence of a clear payment plan and uncertainty over whether the current administration will honour arrangements made by the previous government.

Dr. Apaak’s assurance that the current arrangement is temporary may provide some relief to stakeholders, who have been calling for a more sustainable solution to the feeding challenges faced by SHS students.

In a related development, Dr. Apaak has previously addressed concerns about food shortages in SHS, stating that the government is working tirelessly to resolve the crisis. He noted that a high-level meeting was held to map out immediate solutions to the crisis, and reassured the public that the government remains committed to the Free SHS policy.

According to UNESCO, “ensuring access to quality education, including adequate nutrition, is essential for promoting learning outcomes and supporting the overall development of students.”