Despite the urge to ensure that every child goes to school, certain demands are making it impossible for a number of parents to ensure their wards remain in school for the five days of the week.
Among the demands is the payment of feeding fee for the wards on daily basis.
In recent times, the payment of feeding fees have become a nightmare for a lot of parent, especially those with two or three wards.
The Spectator checks with several parents from schools indicated that wards are charged between Gh¢15- Gh¢20 on daily basis for food served to the children.
For the parents, they see nothing wrong with the service but what was troubling them was the amount which they found exorbitant but attributed to the high cost of foodstuff.
Interestingly, such parents have a huge sigh of relief on weekends and public holidays, knowing they would be free from paying feeding fee.
It was on this premise that some parents hailed the additional holiday added to the celebration of Ramadan.
Mrs Anita Adu, a mother of three pays, Gh¢60 daily as feeding fee, amounting to Gh¢300 per week in addition to school fees, books, snacks and breakfast.
She was extremely happy about the recent holidays as she saved a total of Gh¢120.
A second parent (name withheld) who also pays the same amount per week shared similar challenges and wished that parents with more than two wards be given a discount.
Mr Maxwell Tetteh, is a single parent taking care of one daughter, said it was not easy paying Gh¢150 a week.
But the caterers also explained to The Spectator that they cannot be blamed for the increased prices of the food prepared for the school children.
Mrs Rosemond Owusu, a caterer, explained how foodstuffs have become very expensive and the struggle they go through to make a suitable budget for schools.
She said “Chicken for instance is sold for Gh¢10. So, if the caterer charges for Gh¢12 per plate, it means only Gh¢2 would be left for a plate of rice and the stew. Obviously the caterer would run at a loss.”
A Headmistress of a private school, who also spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity, explained that since some schools are unable to increase schools fees, they increase feeding fees and use the addition to support the payment of teachers’ salaries.
According to her, feeding fee should not be more than Gh¢15 because some parents have about three to four children in one school and pays so much.
The Headmistress, however, indicated that such increments must first be discussed at Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meeting for parents to be aware.
Mrs Evelyn Abbey, also a Headmistress of a private school, encouraged caterers to buy ingredients in bulk so that pricing of feeding fee will be less.
However, she said feeding fee was not compulsory as parents can cook for their children to school.
Another Headmistress of a public school, (name withheld) stated that due to economic hardship, not all parent can afford feeding fees.
According to him, lower income earning parents would always approach the school authorities on an impending holiday, knowing that it would be a day free of the dreaded feeding fee.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
