The Education Ministry is assuring parents and other stakeholders in the education space that the Ministry has put in place pragmatic measures to ensure a regular supply of food to all Senior High Schools as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in the country.
Mr Kwasi Kwarteng, the Spokesperson for the Ministry, who disclosed this to the media on Friday gave the assurance following concerns raised recently by some Ghanaians on food supply to schools.
The concern raised compelled Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister to tasked teams from the Ministry, Ghana Education Service and the Free Senior High School Secretariat to tour the entire country to ascertain the true state of food supply in schools across the country.
He explained that after the tour, the teams confirmed that all schools currently have adequate stock of food in their storage facilities.
Mr Kwasi Kwarteng stated again that there is also a prompt and up-to-date payment of funds allocated for the purchase of perishable food items to all schools.
The Spokesperson mentioned that feedback from heads of schools and students visited by the teams indicates overall satisfaction with the quality and quantity of food being served.
He however stated that if there was any particular school that had a peculiar challenge in connection with the supply of food from the zones that would be treated as a special case and treated urgently.
Mr Kwarteng again assured parents and all other stakeholders in the education sector to have confidence in the ministry’s swift and hands-on response to the issue since the government continue to prioritize the welfare of students, as well as other efforts being made to contribute to the overall enhancement of food security in senior high schools.
He stated that the sector Minister is personally interested in the smooth running of all schools at all levels of education in the country and would continue to adopt prudent measures to ensure the creation of a conducive environment in all schools for effective teaching and learning to take place.
Background
Following reports and speculations about the irregular distribution of food items to SHS/TVET institutions across the country recently, the sector Minister, Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum tasked teams to all regions in the country to ascertain the true state of affairs in connection with food supply in schools.
The visitations to the schools which were aimed at obtaining first-hand information on food distribution and feeding practices at selected SHS was a proactive approach and a testament to the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of students in the educational system.
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