{
  "id": 1893605,
  "title": "GES dismisses claims of GH¢1,500 payment for Free SHS items",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/ges-dismisses-claims-of-gh-1-500-payment-for-free-shs-items",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T08:19:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/ges-dismisses-claims-of-gh1500-payment-for-free-shs-items/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Education Service (GES) has firmly rejected claims that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has been cancelled, and that parents are required to pay GH¢1,500 for items such as chop boxes and trunks. In a statement released on August 18, the Service categorically stated that the publication circulating on social media was false and urged the public to disregard it. The GES emphasized that the Director-General of the Service does not have the authority to cancel a national policy and that no directive has been issued to require parents or guardians to make any payment for the items in question. The Service has urged parents, guardians, and students to refrain from making any payments based on the misinformation circulating online and has advised the public to rely solely on official communications issued through the Service's authorized channels.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has been cancelled and that parents have been directed to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks and other items. In a circular issued on Tuesday, August 18, the Service described the publication as […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana Education Service rejects claims of GH¢1,500 payment for Free SHS items",
    "Publication on social media is false, GES urges public to disregard",
    "No directive issued to require parents to make any payment"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The GES's swift denial aims to reassure parents and students that the Free SHS policy remains in place and that no payments are required for certain items, maintaining public trust in the programme.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}