GES Grants Approval for Decentralized Food Procurement: A Lifeline for Public SHS Students

By
Ellis Ferdinand
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2022 SHS Food Crisis: SHSs to do school farming to support food supply - chass Minister
2022 SHS Food Crisis: SHSs to do school farming to support food supply - Minister

Ferdinand | EducationGhana |  January 24|GES Grants Approval for Decentralized Food Procurement: A Lifeline for Public SHS Students

 

Discover how GES’s approval for essential food procurement is addressing feeding challenges in public SHS. Learn about funding, guidelines, and positive impact.

 

GES Grants Approval for Essential Food Procurement: A Lifeline for Public SHS Students

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken a decisive step to support public Senior High Schools (SHS) by granting approval for the procurement of essential food items.

This initiative, aimed at addressing feeding challenges, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of students in public Second Cycle Institutions.

The directive, issued in a letter dated January 22, 2025, was signed by Stephen Kwaku Owusu,  z

 

Funding Details: How the Initiative Is Backed

To ensure smooth implementation, the GES has allocated funds based on student enrollment and daily feeding rates:

  • Boarding Students: GH₷7.50 per student per day.
  • Day Students: GH₷3.00 per student per day.
These funds will enable schools to purchase locally available essential food items to cater to students for a two-week period from January 20 to February 3, 2025.

 

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Clear Guidelines for Schools and Day Students

 

To streamline execution, specific instructions have been provided:

  • Day Schools: Heads of purely Day Schools must collaborate with private caterers to serve students one hot meal daily at the approved rate.

 

  • Compliance Standards: Schools are required to strictly adhere to Public Procurement and Financial Management Regulations. The attached public procurement guidelines serve as a comprehensive reference for compliance.

 

  • Monitoring by Regional Directors: Regional Directors have been tasked with ensuring all Heads of Public Senior High, Senior High Technical, and STEM Schools are informed of this mandate. They will oversee compliance to guarantee successful outcomes.

 Addressing Urgent Feeding Needs in Public SHS

This approval is an interim measure to address the pressing feeding challenges in public SHS. By allowing schools to directly procure food items, the initiative ensures students receive uninterrupted meals, which are essential for their academic and personal development.

Why This Matters: A Lifeline for Education Equity

The GES’s proactive measure highlights:

  • Commitment to Student Welfare: The timely disbursement of funds demonstrates the government’s focus on supporting students in public schools.

 

  • Empowerment of Local Economies: By encouraging the procurement of locally sourced food items, the initiative boosts local economies while addressing school feeding needs.

 

  • Transparent Implementation: Strict adherence to procurement guidelines ensures accountability and efficient use of resources.

 

 What’s Next: Ensuring Compliance and Accountability

The GES emphasizes the importance of compliance with all regulations to maintain the integrity of this initiative. Heads of Schools must:

  • Follow procurement guidelines meticulously.
  • Ensure timely and appropriate use of allocated funds.
  • Provide regular updates to Regional Directors on the progress of food procurement and feeding programs.

 

Conclusion: A Step Toward Sustainable Solutions

The GES’s approval for food procurement is a game-changer for public SHS, addressing immediate feeding challenges while promoting transparency and accountability.

This initiative reinforces the government’s dedication to education equity and student welfare, ensuring no student goes hungry as they pursue their academic goals.

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