Sunyani: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has called on the Conference of the Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to rescind its earlier decision not to participate in the 2025 National Mathematics and Science Quiz (NMSQ) programme.

According to Ghana News Agency, on Friday, October 3, 2025, CHASS released a statement indicating that it would not be able to participate in this year’s NMSQ due to lack of funds. However, addressing the opening session of the 63rd Annual Conference of CHASS, Mr Iddrisu emphasized the importance of science and mathematics education for the future of the country’s education system.

The sector minister announced that the government had released GHC9.5 million to Primetime, the organisers of the NSMQ, to cover the arrears from 2023 and 2024, as well as the requirements for the 2025 NSMQ programme quiz. Mr Iddrisu assured the audience of the authenticity of this financial commitment by stating that he personally edited and supervised the letter for the release of the funds from the GETFUND.

He expressed his expectation for CHASS to fully participate in the NMSQ, noting that the government had fulfilled its part of the commitment and would continue to support the initiative.

Earlier, Reverend Father Stephen Owusu Sekyere, the President of CHASS, acknowledged the government’s dedication to sustaining Senior High School Education in the country, particularly through the Free SHS policy.