Some Ghanaians have expressed concern over the government’s inability to supply electricity and uphold infrastructure maintenance in some second-cycle institutions.

According to them, education is a priority and it is essential that schools are equipped with the requisite social amenities.

This comes after the headmaster of Mfantsipim School, Ebenezer Kobina Aidoo, highlighted the difficulties facing the school in a heartfelt speech at his school’s speech and prize-giving day.

“We don’t have enough furniture in the classroom. Currently, we need 250 more desks to ensure that our students are well seated. These students are using plastic chairs in the classroom and it’s not comfortable," Mr Aidoo revealed.

“We are on prepaid and always struggle to purchase power. This year alone from January to 31^st October. We have spent GH₵204,000 on prepaid.”

But some Ghanaians who called into Joy FM’s Super Moring Show insist that this was not the case when the institutions were predominantly controlled by the religious bodies that erected them.

Many indicated that they were prepared to help but disagreed on taking full responsibility.

“Government have to do what they have to do first before the others can help. I agree the responsibility cannot only be shifted to government but like I said it’s a primary responsibility of the government to make sure these things shouldn’t happen. So the moment we shift it to the unions, we are making a very big mistake. It is not wrong that they step in and help. However, we will be shifting responsibility.”

Another caller explained that there is no obligation for old students to provide support but rather a decision they take.

“I don’t think it is stated in our handbook that when you finish school, you are obligated to help your alma mater. You decide to help when you feel there are areas to help. You can’t tell us that, go and help your school to get solar panels.”

Meanwhile, the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) has acknowledged the challenges in the running of various Senior High Schools currently.

The National President, Rev. Fr Stephen Owusu Sekyere agrees that there is a problem with cash flow in the system.

In an interview with JoyNews, Rev Fr Sekyere vowed to engage the Minister of Education on the matter.

"We have arranged to meet the Minister of Education. First of all, we meet with the management of GES then we meet with the minister. Then they have to give us their word because we need the money to feed our students and run our schools. Other than that, as the headmaster said, things will not be good in our schools because we have to maintain our schools," the CHASS boss explained.