GES directs school heads to refund unauthorised fees

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has instructed heads of second-cycle schools to refund any unauthorised fees and levies collected before enrolling new students. This comes after the GES warned that such practices conflict with the principles of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. GES Director-General, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, made the announcement during a press briefing following complaints from school heads demanding items and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) levies before admitting new students.

Davis emphasized that the collection of unauthorised fees and charges undermines the purpose of the Free SHS policy, which aims to remove financial barriers to senior secondary education. He stressed that any head of school found guilty of collecting such money will face severe punishment according to the service's rules and regulations.

The GES has received reports of heads of schools allegedly demanding various forms of monies from parents and guardians during student admissions. The management has urged these heads to cease collecting unauthorised fees or levies immediately, reminding them of the policy's contradiction. The GES encourages parents and guardians to report such demands to the service at the district, regional, or headquarters level.

Davis also noted that students across various education levels have returned to school in September for the first time in six years. He attributed this to the hard work of stakeholders, particularly teachers and school heads, and urged the continuation of stability and predictability in the academic calendar to ensure effective teaching and learning.