NAGRAT Urges Government to Consider Axing Parent Associations if They Hinder Free SHS

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has urged the Ministry of Education to consider eliminating Parent Associations in Senior High Schools if they are found to disrupt the Free Senior High School policy.

This recommendation follows the suspension of headteachers from Ahantaman Senior High School and St. Roses Senior High School, Akwatia, over accusations of collecting unauthorized fees.

NAGRAT contends that these fees stem from the Parent Associations rather than the schools’ administration, making the actions taken by the Ghana Education Service (GES) seem unjust.

During a press briefing on October 2, NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu emphasized the need for the headteachers to be reinstated promptly.

He remarked, “With the implementation of Free Senior High School, the role of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) has diminished, leaving us with Parent Associations lacking teacher involvement. In this situation, the PA collectively decided on a contribution amount.

If the Ministry believes that Parent Associations are negatively impacting the effective operation of schools under the Free SHS initiative, they should outright ban them.”