…Head Teachers Hijack PTA Dues, Open Market Levies & Examination Fees (Part 1)
By Our Reporter
There is a seeming tussle between the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and teachers of PRESEC Staff School, with the teachers believed to be holding themselves over and above their appointed positions as classroom teachers.
Information gathered is that Head teachers of the school have hijacked PTA dues, Open Market Levies and Examination Fees from JHS 3 students.
This tango between the two groups is affecting smooth running of teaching and learning process from the K-G department to the Junior High Department.
Information gathered by this paper indicate that Head teachers of the school who have been mandated to collect PTA Dues from the students are sitting on the monies collected and have failed to render accounts to the Association as demanded.
It has been established that the PRESEC Staff School PTA has been the authority that pays the monthly salaries and other emoluments of the 25 Non-Teaching staff from the funds generated largely from voluntary contributions by parents, open market levies, printing of examination papers, sale of books, percentage of admission fee and proceeds from the school canteen.
The cost of all physical maintenance are also borne by the PTA, New Crusading Guide has gathered.
However, the refusal of the Head teachers to release dues collected from parents is hampering the operations of the Association in paying the Non-teaching staff of the school.
Interestingly, although the PTA had purchased printing machine towards the printing of all examination papers, Head teachers thought it wise to rather print their examination papers outside the school. The school is running at a loss as result of the decision taken by the Head teachers.
Although the PTA as a body has taken steps to remedy the situation, the Head teachers have established themselves into a great inhibition to the PTA’s efforts at assisting in developing the school.
Reports from the PTA signed by its Chairman in possession of this paper has it that the PRESEC Staff School Head teachers who have seized the Open Market Levies which should have been paid into the PTA Accounts, are working on instructions from one Mr. Ngala from the Municipal Education Directorate.
Mr. Ngala according to the report, was believed to have given the instruction that the money accumulated from the Open Market levy be paid to one Mr. Mantey, a Head teacher of the school.
It has also emerged that the Head teachers on their own will, charged GH¢388.00 per student ahead of the BECE examination as against an approved GH¢160.00 fee by the Municipal Director of Education.
According to documents available, parents of final year students were called to approve a letter purported to have been written by Mr. Mantey and Mr. Aidoo which levied them for each candidate to pay an amount of GH¢500.00 for extra classes and Mock Examination ahead of the WAEC- administered BECE.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Director of Education, Mrs. Patty Assan who was uncomfortable with the steps taken by the Head teachers, which was not in order, cut the said GH¢500.00 to GH¢160.00 for each student.
But, the teachers, acting in strict variance and with impunity, ignored the Director’s orders and not only did they increased the levy to GH¢388.00, they also unilaterally cut the teaching-learning time allotted.
The Head teachers who have succeeded in collecting GH¢388.00 from each student have failed to issue receipts to cover payments in that regard.
The failure by the teachers to issue receipts for the monies collected from parents, is also generating uncontrolled impasse between parents and the PTA as parents are demanding receipts from the Association.
However, the PTA’s internal investigations have revealed that former Chairman of the school’s PTA, who also collected the GH¢388.00 levy from some parents promised to issue receipts to cover the payment; a promise he couldn’t fulfil.
Sterling revelations coming in at the heels of the payment of this GH¢388.00 levy, have revealed that the Municipal Director of Education is also a beneficiary of this largesse from the Head teachers.
According to information, one of the Head teachers, Mr. Mantey was instructed to transfer 8% of all Classes and Mock Examination levy to the Municipal Director of Education.
The PTA is however unhappy with the development and could not understand why the Head teachers would take certain decisions contrary to the PTA’s rules.
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