Eduwatch calls mandatory warranty on school desks to guarantee quality

Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) has called on the government to require a 1 to 2-year warranty on school desks procured for public schools across the country to guarantee quality and value for money.

EduWatch’s call comes after the government earlier this year allocated about GHC600 million from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for nationwide desk procurement to address the country’s severe furniture deficit, estimated at around one million desks.

However, Eduwatch has raised concerns that desks supplied under previous programmes often deteriorate within a year, leaving thousands of pupils without adequate learning spaces.

“The supply of substandard desks increases recurrent spending and diminishes the quality of education,” the group said in a statement.

Eduwatch stressed that introducing a mandatory warranty would ensure suppliers take responsibility for defects, encourage higher production standards, and prolong the lifespan of school furniture.

“A mandatory warranty will ensure suppliers take responsibility for product defects, motivate higher production standards, and extend the lifespan of school furniture,” the statement added.

EduWatch highlighted that countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda require warranties on school furniture to guarantee quality, safeguard public funds, and improve accountability in the supply chain.

The Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) has called on both Ministries to issue clear procurement guidelines, directing all District Assemblies to include warranty clauses before awarding contracts.

The education think tank, in the statement, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policy reforms that ensure safe, durable, and cost-effective learning environments for all Ghanaian school children.