GES orders SHS heads to stop unauthorised collection of fees and levies

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has instructed heads of Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) to cease collecting unauthorized fees and levies from parents and guardians, following complaints received regarding such practices. According to a statement by Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations at the GES dated September 23, 2026, the fees collected under such circumstances are in violation of the government's Free Senior High School policy.

The GES emphasized that no student or parent should be pressured, directly or indirectly, to pay admission fees, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues, or any other unauthorized charges as a prerequisite for admission, enrollment, involvement in school activities, or access to school services.

Moreover, the GES noted that the matter of PTA dues is currently under legal scrutiny, and discussions and collection of these dues should be on hold until the matter is resolved by the courts. The Service also directed school heads to refund any unauthorized fees or levies already collected and present evidence of the refunds to GES management.

Violators of this directive face potential administrative sanctions, up to and including removal from their positions. The GES has urged parents and the public to report instances of unauthorized fees and levies to management for investigation and appropriate action.