Since the commencement of the Free SHS Pogramme, staff of some senior high schools across the country have been seeking for foul means to benefit from the well-meaning policy. Latest in the news of such fraudulent activities is the one that recently took place at Tolon SHS in the Northern Region where a matron, one Madam Grace Abudu, is reported to have diverted some food stuffs meant for feeding students.
Also See: Mahama, Others Calling for Review of Failing Free SHS
According to 3News.com, the matron was caught by some eagle-eyed students and teachers who sighted her when she was about transporting the food items comprising five maxi bags of rice, three jerry cans of rice, two bags of beans, three bags of maize, seven packs of detergent and a tin of tomato out of the school in a cargo tricycle.
She was however, intercepted and handed over to the police together with the items. It was alleged that the woman initially admitted to stealing the food items on Saturday but later changed her words, claiming that she was taking the stuffs to town for milling.
Although the allegedly stolen items are still in police custody, Madam Abudu has reportedly been granted bail while investigations into the matter has commenced.
See Also: Vitting Students Sleeping Under Trees Under Free SHS
Speaking to 3News on the development on Monday, the Headmistress of Tolon SHS, Mrs. Suzy Braimah who was recently posted to the school, revealed that she suspected that the school’s food items were being diverted when she assumed duties. She also indicated that the incident has been reported to the District and Regional Directorate of Education for the necessary actions.
This is not the first time it has been reported that some senior high schools staff were involved in shady or fraudulent acts under the newly introduced free senior high school education. Recall that during the registration period at the beginning of the 2017/2018 academic session, officials of some senior high schools invented some unapproved fees and forcefully extorted them from parents and guardians before enrolling their children or wards in school.
The culprits were however, duly interdicted and sanctioned by the Ghana Education Service (GES). While some were relieved of their positions, demoted and transferred, others were only reprimanded.
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