CHASS Responds to Education Minister: SHS food quality has improved

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has expressed surprise and disappointment following recent comments made by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, regarding the quality of food served in senior high schools.

The Minister raised concerns about what he called the “poor quality of food” being provided to students and suggested that the government might reconsider its decision to allow school heads to directly procure food. This policy, which was part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) education manifesto, gave school heads and bursars the authority to purchase food locally in an effort to improve quality and efficiency in the school feeding programme.

In response to the Minister’s remarks, Primus Baro, the National Secretary of CHASS, expressed surprise, stating that the issue had not been raised in any previous discussions with the Ministry or the Ghana Education Service. “We have not received any formal reports indicating that schools are serving poor-quality food. The feedback we’ve received points to improvements since headteachers started procuring food themselves,” Baro told Citi News on May 5, 2025.

Baro also clarified that while CHASS does not insist on maintaining control over food procurement, the current system was introduced due to ongoing challenges with the previous centralized model. This included delays and substandard food supplies. “We’re open to whatever decision the government makes, but if the centralized procurement system returns, we expect food to be delivered on time and in the right quantities,” he added.

Furthermore, Baro urged that any concerns regarding food quality be addressed internally and constructively, rather than being aired publicly in the media, to avoid creating a misleading impression based on isolated incidents.

Regarding funding, Baro acknowledged some delays in recent disbursements due to administrative changes, but confirmed that funds had now been released. However, he pointed out that some arrears remain unpaid.

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