Editorial
Exploitation of parents by some SHS heads
Second cycle institutions have just re-opened and fresh students who are entering the first year have been given bills to bring in certain items which they will need in school.
These items include brooms, cutlasses and buckets. At this time, these items have risen in prices because of the demand for them.
If these things are to help the school in any way, they will not be seen as creating problems for parents.
However, it is becoming increasingly clear that many heads of the institutions see this time as a period to exploit parents and guardians. When these items are brought, they are kept by loyal friends of the heads of the institutions who ensure that the items are taken to a particular shop for sale to the public.
We are told that, some of the shops are owned by the heads of the schools. This amounts to exploitation of parents and guidance.
The Spectator is, therefore, of the view that, special investigations need to be carried out into such matters. The investigation is very necessary because, the behaviour of these heads amount to defeating the purpose of the free SHS system and also the TVET programme being implemented by government.
It amounts to nothing but sabotage of the government programme of free education at the secondary level. Many parents are not happy about this, so the Ministry of Education together with the Ghana Education Service is expected to act on this issue without delay.
The GES has already directed the heads of institutions to make use of only GES approved prospectus. Failure to do this will attract severe sanctions. We are happy to hear this, so we expect the GES to rigidly apply the sanctions.
The purpose of the free SHS and free TVET is to make it possible for everyone to gain access to education at the secondary level. Saboteurs should, therefore, not be allowed to have their way in this matter.
What the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service can do is to come out with a standard prospectus for all schools. It is true that items like paint may be needed to paint schools from time to time but if these are to be sold selfishly by some of the heads, then we need to take drastic measures against this misbehaviour and disgraceful act.
The system ought to be sanitised at once. If this is not done immediately, the purpose of the free SHS and TVET will be defeated.
Parents are not happy about this so the earlier something is done about the issue, the better it will be for the educational system at the second cycle schools.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
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