The Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS), has bemoaned the spate of misappropriation of funds generated by Parent Teacher Associations in Ghana's second cycle institutions.

The association, recognised as an independent body, is not audited internally nor externally. As a result, members are alleged to be enriching themselves with the funds generated by the associations.

Vice Chairman of CHASS, Paul Kingsley Arthur, says funds generated by the PTAs are not being accounted for.

He lamented the slow pace of infrastructural development in schools, despite the monies accrued by Parent Teacher Associations that he believes could be useful in fixing some of these problems.

Mr. Arthur was speaking at the Parent Teacher Conference held in Kumasi on the theme 'The Educational Reforms in Ghana and the Significant Impact on the Ghanaian Child.'

“They organize PTA meetings. But the monies they take do not come to the schools. They give the excuse that PTA is a separate entity from the school. So, the headmaster cannot inquire about money or ongoing projects,” he lamented.

He says the PTA contributions could have supported the government's Free SHS agenda in providing quality education.

“That is killing the Free SHS system. There should be a policy where Headteachers should be a signatory to their cheques. The headteachers must be aware of how much money has been taken from parents,” he advised.