CHASS commends government for uncapping GETFund for Free SHS

The Conference of Heads of Second Cycle Schools (CHASS) has expressed its appreciation to the government for securing dedicated funding for the Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). In a communiqué issued following its 64th Annual Conference, the leadership of school heads highlighted the importance of this funding model in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the flagship education policy.

Beyond financial reforms, CHASS lauded the restoration of a stable academic calendar and the introduction of a new career progression scheme for educators. This scheme allows teachers to advance their careers beyond the rank of Deputy Director, a move identified as a significant boost for professional growth and morale within the teaching service. The heads also acknowledged efforts in securing a $300 million facility from the World Bank, which is earmarked for improving school infrastructure across the country.

While praising these developments, the communiqué outlined several recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of digital learning and school operations. CHASS called for the provision of charging units for student tablets and urged the government to deactivate social media functions on these devices to ensure they are used strictly for academic purposes. Additionally, the group recommended the reintroduction of physical textbooks to complement digital resources and advocated for a permanent shift to a single-track academic calendar to reduce institutional operational costs.

The conference concluded by recognizing the pivotal leadership role played by school heads in managing second-cycle institutions across Ghana. CHASS emphasized that the continued contribution of all stakeholders remains essential for the further development of the nation's education system. The body reaffirmed its commitment to working with the authorities to address remaining challenges and improve learning outcomes for students.