Education Minister Warns SHS Heads Over Poor Student Meals

Key Points

• Haruna Iddrisu threatens to reverse decentralised feeding policy over poor meals.
• Minister urges unannounced inspections to monitor food quality in SHSs.
• GES Council tasked with ensuring value for money in student feeding

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has issued a stern warning to heads of senior high schools (SHSs) across Ghana, stating that the government may revoke the decentralised school feeding policy if the quality and timely distribution of student meals do not improve.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new Governing Council of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on May 2, 2025, Iddrisu expressed dissatisfaction with reports of substandard food and delays in supply.

“We are not satisfied with the quality of the food that has been supplied, and we are not satisfied even with the timely distribution of the food,” he said.

The decentralised feeding system, a manifesto pledge, allows SHS heads to receive direct grants to procure food locally, replacing the previous centralised model managed by the National Food Buffer Stock Company.

Iddrisu emphasized that if improvements are not observed, the policy could be reversed to ensure students receive adequate nutrition.

GES Council tasked with monitoring and inspections

The Minister has directed the GES Council, chaired by Professor Mawutor Avoke, to closely monitor the implementation of the feeding policy.

He urged school authorities to conduct regular internal audits and encouraged surprise inspections by national officers to assess the quality of meals served.

“Director-General, you and Professor Avoke should once in a while make unannounced visits to school dining halls to see for yourselves the quality of meals students are being fed,” Iddrisu stated.

These measures aim to ensure that the decentralised school feeding policy delivers value for money and meets basic nutritional standards for students.

Addressing broader issues in SHSs

Beyond feeding concerns, Iddrisu raised alarms over rising insecurity and indiscipline in second-cycle institutions.

He cited recent violent incidents, including a shooting at Kumasi SDA Senior High School, which left one student critically injured.

“You’ve heard the stories of gunshots in an educational institution. You’ve heard the stories of knives and other weapons being used on school campuses,” he said.

The Minister called for immediate and proactive steps to ensure safety in all educational institutions.

In response, Professor Avoke assured that the GES Council is committed to supporting improvements in school management and student welfare.

“The trust reposed in us to support pre-tertiary education in this country is not one to take lightly,” Avoke said.

Iddrisu also affirmed that recommendations from the recent National Education Forum would be implemented as part of the government’s broader effort to enhance the education sector.