The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has urged the Ministry of Education to delay the reopening of schools scheduled for January 3, 2025, until all outstanding financial obligations to schools and suppliers are fully settled.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Education, CHASS indicated the persistent financial challenges hampering school operations as a result of the outstanding arrears.

CHASS warned that a failure to address the situation before January 3 could disrupt the reopening process.

The letter also referenced earlier correspondences, dated August 12, 2024, and September 20, 2024, and reiterated the Minister of Education’s commitment during a December 18, 2024, Zoom meeting to release funds necessary for the effective operation of schools.

However, CHASS expressed disappointment, noting that the recent disbursement of funds failed to resolve critical issues, including: unpaid recurrent funds owed to schools, outstanding arrears for perishable items, exclusion of single-track and day schools from the recent funding allocation, lack of funds to transport food supplies from distribution centers to schools and unpaid utility bills threatening essential services.

CHASS therefore called for the immediate release of funds to address these challenges, stressing that failure to do so would hinder schools' ability to function effectively and compromise the delivery of quality education.

“We believe these funds are critical for the successful reopening of schools. Without them, heads of schools will face overwhelming challenges in managing daily operations and ensuring the welfare of students,” it noted.