GES orders SHS heads to stop unauthorized fees, levies immediately

By Hubeyidatu Mumuni

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) to immediately stop collecting unauthorised fees and levies from students and parents.

The directive follows reports received by GES Management that some school heads were collecting admission fees, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues and other charges from parents and guardians.

In a statement dated September 23, 2026, and signed by the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, Management cautioned all heads of SHS and SHTS to cease the practice with immediate effect.

“Management hereby strongly cautions all heads of SHS/SHTS to cease, with immediate effect, the collection of such unauthorised fees or levies from parents/guardians,” the statement said.

GES stressed that the collection of such charges was contrary to the government’s free education policy at the senior high school level.

“Heads are reminded that the charging and collection of unauthorised fees and levies are contrary to the government policy on free education at the senior high school level,” it added.

The Service further clarified that no student or parent should be compelled to make payments as a condition for admission, enrolment or participation in school activities.

“No student or parent/guardian should be compelled, directly or indirectly, to pay admission fees, PTA dues or any other unauthorised fees as a condition for admission, enrolment, and participation in school activities or access to school services,” GES stated.

The directive also addresses the issue of PTA dues, which GES Management said remains before the courts. According to the Service, discussions and collection of PTA dues and levies are therefore still on hold until the matter is determined by the courts.

GES has consequently directed school heads to refund any unauthorised fees or levies that may already have been collected.

“Management further directs all heads to ensure that any unauthorised fees and levies already collected are refunded and evidence of that refund presented to the GES Management,” the statement said.

The Service warned that school officials who fail to comply with the directive could face administrative sanctions, including removal from office.

“Any person(s) found to be flouting this directive will face the appropriate administrative sanctions, including removal from office,” GES cautioned.

The public has also been encouraged to report instances where schools demand unauthorised fees or levies to GES Management for investigation and appropriate action.

The directive comes against the broader policy of providing access to free senior high school education in Ghana. The Ministry of Education lists Free SHS as one of its key programmes, while GES is responsible for implementing approved national education policies and managing public secondary schools.

GES said it appreciates the cooperation of stakeholders, particularly school heads, directors and parents, as it seeks to ensure compliance with the directive.