Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
The Ministry of Education has assured parents and other stakeholders in the education sector that pragmatic measures have been put in place to ensure a constant supply of food to all second cycle schools and training institutions.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, stated that there is no need for anxiety because there is enough supply of food in storage facilities at all Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the nation.
Addressing the media last Friday, Mr. Kwarteng stated that in response to recent concerns raised by some Ghanaians about food supply to schools, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, 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.
According to him, the tour showed that food storage facilities at schools are well-stocked.
Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng also indicated that money earmarked for the purchase of perishable food items are paid to all schools on a timely and regular basis.
The spokesperson stated that feedback from school heads and students visited by the teams indicates overall satisfaction with the quality and quantity of food served.
He, however, indicated that if there was a specific school that had an exceptional challenge in terms of food supply from the zones, it would be handled as a special case and addressed immediately.
Mr. Kwarteng urged parents and all other stakeholders in the education sector to have confidence in the ministry’s prompt and hands-on response to the issue, as the government continues to prioritise student welfare, as well as other efforts to contribute to the overall improvement of food security in SHSs.
He noted that the sector minister is personally concerned with the successful operation of all schools at all levels of education in the country and would continue to take reasonable steps to ensure a conducive atmosphere in all schools for effective teaching and learning to take place.
Background
Following recent reports and speculations about the irregular distribution of food items to SHS/TVET institutions across the country, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum dispatched teams to all regions of the country to find out the true state of affairs in terms of food supply in schools.
According to several stakeholders, the fact-finding mission at schools to acquire firsthand information on food distribution and feeding practices at selected SHSs was a proactive approach that underscores the ministry’s commitment to ensuring children’s well-being in the educational system.
By Ernest Kofi Adu