Omanghana
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools across the country to immediately stop collecting unauthorised fees and levies from students, parents and guardians.
The directive follows reports that some school authorities have imposed unapproved admission charges, compulsory Parent-Teacher Association dues and clearance fees on students.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, management said the practice violates approved national guidelines and undermines the government’s Free Senior High School policy.
The Service expressed concern about reports that some parents are being compelled to purchase items such as trunks, chop boxes, uniforms and cutlasses directly from schools, sometimes at inflated prices. Parents must be allowed to buy required items from the open market unless an approved arrangement states otherwise.
GES also cautioned schools against issuing unauthorised prospectuses containing additional compulsory items or payments. These reportedly include house dues, paint, calculators, hymn books and other requirements not included in the approved harmonized prospectus.
School authorities were further warned against demanding clearance levies or outstanding PTA dues from final-year students as a condition for completing their school clearance processes.
Heads who have already collected unapproved fees have been instructed to refund the full amounts to the affected parents or guardians immediately. They must also submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to GES management.
Regional Directors of Education have been directed to investigate reported violations and take immediate administrative action against officials found culpable. The sanctions could include interdiction or removal from office.
GES reiterated that no school official has the authority to impose charges outside the approved framework and urged parents to report suspected violations through the Service’s official channels for investigation.
Source: Omanghana
