February 24, 2021
Aruna Kamara (Bo)
The newly elected Convener for the Civil Society Movement in the Southern Region; Mustapha Kpaka Junior has registered his utter dissatisfaction over the delay in the payment of the school subsidy by government.
Speaking to this medium in an interview from Bo, Mr. Kpaka said they are disturbed by threats from the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools threatening to down tools because subsidies have not been disbursed.
School authorities say the government had stopped them from collecting fees and without subsidies it is difficult for them to do their work.
They are claiming that since last year subsidies have not been paid and it is bound to undermine the free quality education agenda of the SLPP government.
“How are they expecting us to run their institutions when there is no subsidy? I listen to the CPSS Chairman on the radio complaining about debts incurred from stationery supplies and other service providers,” Kpaka is quoted as saying.
Mr. Kpaka cited Paul School for the blind that has gone without government subvention for six months, as an issue that must be speedily addressed for the kids to benefit from effective learning.
He pointed out that the government has allocated huge funding from the national budget to the free and quality education, and this is the flagship program of the SLPP government.
Regional authorities of the Ministry of Education are however pleading with school authorities to exercise patience as their concerns will be addressed soon.
This medium has also reliably learnt that the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education is working towards paying the much needed subsidy to the various school authorities as it is long overdue.
