BONABOTO PRESS RELAESE

BONABOTO the association of Citizens of Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo, Tongo and its environs, a development an advocacy group has learned with deep surprise the non- payment of school feeding grants to the second cycle institutions in the Northern part of the country. The situation is creating tension in the schools which are likely to close down in the coming week if the monies are not paid immediately.

Our checks with members of CHASS in the regions indicate that even though schools are in the 2nd term, the government has only paid 35% of the 1st term grants for the 2nd to 3rd year students with the remaining 65% not paid to date let alone pay the 2nd term grants.

The government has also not paid any grants at all for 1st year students since the academic year started. This is a very regrettable situation that must be rectified now to ensure the smooth running of the school.

We also note with regret that since the academic year started government has not also paid to the schools the absorbed school fees which were taken over by government since the year 2000 and urge the government to take action now to avert further embarrassment of the Heads of institutions who have always managed the situation with credit from suppliers.

We note that:

The feeding grant saga has been a persistent problem in Northern schools and we call on government to act now in the interest of our poor students. We also request as a matter of urgency a constitution of a committee to investigate this perennial problem and recommend a permanent solution to forestall future occurrence.

That disciplinary action should be taken against any staff of the Ministry of Education found to have caused administrative lapses or negligence to ensure public service responsibility and accountability.

We call on all civil society groups to join forces with us to support our hard working Head of Institutions who have demonstrated exceptional responsibility in keeping the schools running in the face of all difficulties.

The Northern part of our country is lagging behind in so many social indicators and any attempts to marginalize the already poor regions of the north will aggravate the plight of the people and further widen the gap between the North and the South part of our country.

This must be avoided at all cost to ensure a cohesive country for development.

Signed

Lance Adogba Andrews Akolaa President, BONABOTO Public Relations officer 020-8117757 026-3016627