Very reliable information gathered by this portal reveals that the headmaster of T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Mr. Abdullai Ayyub, has started charging school fees from parent of the SHS 1 students in the school.
According to the source, Mr. Ayyub made the announcement to the parents on Sunday, during a PTA meeting.
Some worried parents who broke the news to this portal on condition anonymity said the headmaster asked them to pay a school fee of Gh¢500 in addition to other charges such as PTA dues, extra classes levy, exams fee, among others. In summary, the addition of these charges to the school fees would sum up to about Gh¢700.
Apart from the aforementioned burden, parents are expected to purchase a bundle of A4 Sheet, 1 Pack of markers etc.
According to the disgruntled parents, the headmaster explained that the new directive is in connection with the recent suggestion made by the former finance minister, Seth Terkper. In the said conversation, Mr. Seth Terkper in his opinion, suggested that Category A Schools be made to pay school fees as part of the Free SHS reforms.
The T.I Amass headmaster who believes his school falls under the category A schools, explained to the parents and guardians at the PTA meeting that the new directive is taking effect from the next academic year.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Mr. Seth Terkper who made the suggestion from his own opinion, faced a severe backlash from the members of the NDC party who felt his suggestion could contradict the President elect, John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to maintain the policy and even do it better.
In a recent address to the nation, former President John Dramani Mahama asserted the Free SHS policy would remain in place, dismissing any suggestion of its cancellation as mere propaganda intended to damage his reputation.
However, a recent directive from the headmaster of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School has reignited debate about the policy’s future and the headmaster’s authority to issue such a directive.
Attempts to reach the headmaster for comment have been unsuccessful; he will be given the opportunity to explain his actions.
Source: newspalacegh.com