The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has asked the government to allow headmasters and mistresses to purchase foodstuff for their respective Senior High Schools.
According to a report on myjoyonline, the Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools bemoaned the struggles they encounter with suppliers before foodstuffs are supplied to their schools. Due to this situation, the President of CHASS, Reverend Steven Owusu Sekyere, addressing the 61st National Annual Conference, asked the government to heed to their call.
According to him, they are suffering at the hands of suppliers and it is unfair to them. He was quoted to have said: “We are urging management to ensure a timely release of the entire funding for schools to make our work less stressful, and monies allocated for all activities must be increased significantly, to meet the current market price of goods and services. This will help to provide our students with the required resources for their educational needs,” he said.
The challenges faced by school administrators in procuring essential supplies, especially food, have long been a thorn in the side of efficient school management. One of the key issues raised by CHASS is the cumbersome bureaucracy involved in the procurement process. Schools often find themselves entangled in extensive delays when dealing with government suppliers. The arduous administrative procedures can lead to disruptions in the supply chain, impacting the quality and quantity of food available to students.
Delays in the delivery of essential supplies can disrupt the regular routines of schools, particularly in terms of meal planning and preparation. In some cases, school administrators have been left to contend with food shortages, compromising the nutrition and overall well-being of students, and in some instances closing down the schools due to food shortage.
The current system places an undue administrative burden on school heads who are often forced to expend an inordinate amount of time and effort to ensure that essential supplies are available.
The call for headmasters and mistresses to be given the authority to purchase foodstuff is not just a plea for convenience, it is a call for empowering school administrators to make local procurement decisions within defined guidelines and budgets. This will go a long way to reduce bureaucracy and ensure that schools have a consistent supply of foodstuff.
Of course, with greater autonomy comes a need for transparency and accountability. Any move towards local procurement should be accompanied by clear guidelines and oversight to prevent misuse of funds and ensure that quality and standards are upheld.
As we consider this proposal, it is essential to strike a balance between local empowerment and central control. A hybrid system that allows schools some degree of flexibility while maintaining oversight to prevent abuse of power.
This way, schools can respond to their unique needs, ensuring timely and reliable supplies, while still adhering to national standards and budgets.
The Chronicle agrees to the call by CHASS for greater autonomy in foodstuff procurement, which is a great stride towards achieving a more responsive and agile education system that can adapt to the unique needs of each school, while upholding national standards.
