TVET Service warns institutions against unauthorised fees during admissions

The Ghana TVET Service has issued a stern warning to technical and vocational education institutions against collecting unauthorized fees from prospective students and their parents during the ongoing admissions process. The Service has come across reports of certain institutions requesting payments under the pretext of admission processing fees and compulsory purchases of prospectuses.

In a statement, the Ghana TVET Service underscored the unacceptable nature of such charges, stating that they contravene the guidelines governing admissions under the government's Free TVET policy. It emphasized that no student or parent should be required to make any payment that has not been expressly approved as part of the official admission process.

The Service claimed that such unauthorized charges could tarnish the credibility of the Free TVET policy and give the impression that technical and vocational education is becoming increasingly expensive. Consequently, the Service has initiated a nationwide monitoring and compliance exercise to scrutinize admission processes and ensure strict adherence to approved directives.

Academic Calendar Monitoring Teams have been sent to TVET institutions across the country to oversee the process. The Ghana TVET Service has threatened disciplinary action against heads of institutions and staff members found to be involved in or facilitating the collection of unauthorized fees. It has also appealed to parents and guardians to refrain from making any unapproved payments and to report such incidents through the appropriate channels.

The Service reiterated its commitment to promoting access, fairness, and transparency within the TVET system, emphasizing that financial obstacles should never hinder any Ghanaian child from accessing technical and vocational education.