Heads of 116 basic schools to account for 106 million cedis

Assin-Foso (C/R) Aug. 18, GNA- Heads of about 116 basic schools in the Assin District, have between January and August 10, this year, allegedly embezzled a total of 106,154,400.00 cedis being fees paid by pupils in their schools.

The amount covers fees for mock examinations, development, culture and sports.

The Assin District Director of Education, Mr Johnson Omudie, said this at the Second Ordinary Session of the Assembly at Twifo Praso on Tuesday. He was contributing to a debate on the falling standards of education in the district.

He said efforts were being made by his office to retrieve the monies.

Mr Omudie called on the assembly, as a supervisory body in the district to help evolve measures aimed at retrieving the monies. He attributed the standard of education in the district to laxity on the part of some circuit supervisors, lateness and drunkenness by some teachers, as well as pupil teachers instead of trained ones in the system.

Mr Omudie announced that as part of disciplinary measures against teachers known to be perpetual drunkards to be posted to their hometowns for people there to know their characters.

He said a "massive shake-up in the posting of non-performing circuit supervisors", was also in the offing, and would be undertaken before next academic year.

He said travelling and transport (T&T) allowances of inspectors and newly posted teachers, would be paid promptly, to encourage them to give of their best.

On government efforts to enhance educational standards, Mr Omudie, announced that from next academic year, pupils from primary one to JSS three, would pay no fees, while an amount of 111 million cedis from the GETFUND, has been provided for the purchase of school bags and uniforms for needy pupils.

He said the package was part of government's assistance to 40 deprive districts in the country.

The assembly, had earlier, appealed for the Chief Justice, to send a Magistrate to replace the one transferred to Tumu about a month ago.