GES Warns SHS Heads Against Charging Parents for Unauthorized Items

• Ghana Education Service (GES) cautions SHS heads against charging parents for unauthorized items.
• The practice goes contrary to GES directives and the officially approved school prospectus.
• Parents are urged to report schools demanding unauthorized items or payments for investigation and possible sanctions.
• Education stakeholders acknowledge funding and infrastructure challenges in some schools, but GES insists they do not justify breaching approved guidelines.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken a firm stance against Senior High Schools (SHSs) that continue to charge parents and students for items or services not captured in the officially approved school prospectus under the Free Senior High School policy. This move follows growing complaints from parents that some schools are still requesting additional items despite the implementation of the Free SHS policy.

The Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, emphasized that schools are not authorized to demand any money or materials outside what has been formally approved for students. He stated that any such practice goes contrary to GES directives and urged parents to report any school found demanding unauthorised items or payments for investigation and possible sanctions.

Funding and Infrastructure Challenges in Ghana's Education Sector

The debate about what the Free SHS policy covers has reignited concerns about the rising living costs and school-related expenses faced by families in Ghana. The policy, which was introduced in 2017, aims to provide free education to all students in public Senior High Schools. However, some schools continue to face funding and infrastructure challenges, which has led to the demand for additional items from parents.

According to education stakeholders, the challenges faced by some schools are largely due to inadequate funding and infrastructure. While the government has made efforts to improve the education sector, some schools continue to struggle with basic amenities such as paint, padlocks, and bulbs. However, GES insists that these challenges do not justify breaching the approved guidelines and that support should come through voluntary contributions from Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) or old students' associations.

Approved Prospectus Remains the Only Legitimate Guide

The approved prospectus remains the only legitimate guide for items students are expected to provide, according to Mr. Fenyi. He explained that the prospectus outlines the minimum items required for students to participate in school activities and that any additional demands are not sanctioned by GES.

Parents who spoke to Adom News expressed concerns about the additional items demanded by schools, which they said are sometimes presented as compulsory requirements. They urged GES to take a firm stance against schools that continue to breach the approved guidelines and to provide support to schools that face genuine challenges.

Looking Ahead

GES is urging parents to be vigilant and to report any school found demanding unauthorised items or payments for investigation and possible sanctions. The Service is also working to provide support to schools that face genuine challenges and to ensure that the approved prospectus is adhered to in all schools.

In the meantime, parents are advised to carefully review the approved prospectus and to only provide items that are listed as required. They are also urged to report any school that continues to demand additional items or payments, which can undermine the principles of the Free SHS policy.