The Government has released ¢126 billion as subsidy and capitation grant for first and second cycle public schools nationwide for the current academic year.

The Ghanaian Times reported that out of the amount, ¢86 billion is allocated for the payment of the first and second terms subsidy of students in secondary schools and technical institutions.

The remaining ¢40 billion is the second tranche of the capitation grant to cover payment of fees for pupils in basic schools.

The first tranche of ¢47.5 billion was released to the school in November, last year.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mr Kwame Ampofo Twumasi, who made this known to the Ghanaian Times in Accra, said the funds were made available to the schools last April.

He explained that government depends on submission of returns and data on enrolment from the heads and utilization of the capitation grant before additional funds are provided.

On the capitation grant, Mr. Twumasi said the late submission of returns, delayed the early release of funds.

He said: “This contravenes the guidelines governing its utilization. The heads have the responsibility to account for the funds they have spent and that is why we are insisting that they submit returns on money released to them.”

He said to facilitate early payment of the money to the schools, government this time, directed the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to transfer the grant direct to the accounts of the schools in the various districts.

Mr Twumasi therefore challenged heads who claimed not to have received their share, to show evidence that they have submitted their returns.

He said final payment in respect of the capitation grant to cover the third term will soon be made in fulfillment of government’s pledge to provide fee-free tuition in basic schools.

The breakdown of the allocation on regional basis is as follows :-

Ashanti – ¢7.187 billion; Eastern – ¢4.726 billion; Western – ¢4.654 billion; Brong Ahafo – ¢4.578 billion; and Central – ¢4.312 billion.

The rest are: Northern – ¢3.588 billion;

Great Accra – ¢3.582 billion; Volta – ¢3,575 billion; Upper East – ¢2.320 billion and
Upper West – ¢1.473 billion.

A total of ¢160 billion has been earmarked as capitation grant for the 2006/2007 academic year. Each pupil is allocated ¢30,000 a year to cover payment of fees in respect of culture, sports and schools internal development.

Government spent ¢129 billion as capitation grant during the 2005/2006 academic year.

The Ghanaian Times learned that government spends about ¢38 billion as subsidy termly on students in public second cycle institutions nationwide.

Areas covered by the subsidy include fee on regular stationery, first aid, building maintenance, sports, culture, sanitation, furniture maintenance, utilities, text books user fees and practical fees for science, technical, vocational and agriculture science examinations.

Credit: Ghanaian Times