The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) is calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to investigate some personnel in its office who demand money from private schools before supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The Council of Private Schools in a press release indicated that some heads of schools in the Bono East Region are being asked to pay an amount of GH200 as clearance before receiving the PPE.

“It has been reported to our (Ghana National Council of Private Schools, GNACOPS) office on 05/02/2021, by one Mr Nelson Aho, the owner of First Choice International School at Atebubu in Bono East Region that the Municipal Director of Education and his officers, especially the ‘Private schools Coordinator’, in the person of Mr Samuel Abosi ... has consistently asked and made private schools in the Municipality to pay an amount of GH200 as clearance..."

Heads of some private schools who resist payment according to the statement are being threatened to have their schools closed or shut down by the Ghana Education Service.

This act, according to the Council, is an infringement on their rights and also breaches the educational governance and regulations while depriving students of equipment to protect themselves amidst the spike in Covid-19 cases recorded.

“We, therefore, wish to bring to your notice that the aforementioned office of GES, and the MDE with his ‘private school coordinator’ is indulging in illegal registration, extortion of money and threats which is being meted out to the private school operators in the Atebubu Municipality and Districts.”

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools has, therefore, called on the Ghana Education Service to expedite actions to correct such unlawful conducts by making refunds of monies paid and bringing the perpetrators to book.

As part of governments directives for the reopening of schools, President Akufo-Addo in his update on Covid-19 announced that some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be supplied to schools across the country at no cost.

However, in reportage by Joynews, some heads of schools have expressed worry and difficulty in receiving the needed materials to keep students and staff protected as school activities have resumed.

Consequently, parents have raised concerns on the safety of their children as reports indicate some schools in the country are recording Covid-19 cases.

Thirty-seven more Covid-19 cases have been recorded at the Akosombo International School, the Executive Director of National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) has disclosed.

This follows reports of 40 Covid-19 cases recorded earlier in the school.