GES denies cancellation of Free SHS, warns public against GH¢1,500 payment claims

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has denied claims 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 and trunks.

GES, in a statement on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, described the claim as false and urged the general public, particularly parents, to disregard it.

“Management wishes to state categorically that the publication is FALSE and should be disregarded,” the statement said.

The Service stressed that neither the Free SHS policy nor the Director-General’s office had issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to make payments for chop boxes, trunks or any other item.

“Management has not cancelled the Free SHS policy, nor has the Director-General issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to pay any money for chop boxes, trunks or any other item.”

The GES also clarified that the Director-General does not have the authority to cancel the Free SHS policy.

“The Director-General of GES does not have the power to cancel a policy.”

The Service has consequently urged parents, guardians and students not to make payments to individuals based on the claims circulating online.

“Parents, guardians, students and the general public are therefore urged not to make any payments to anyone.”

The GES advised the public to rely on information issued through its authorised communication channels and to exercise caution when dealing with unverified social media publications.

“The GES advises the public to rely only on official communications issued through the Service’s authorised channels and to treat unverified publications on social media with caution.”

The Service further appealed to the public and media organisations to desist from creating or circulating false information capable of causing anxiety and confusion among parents and students.

The clarification comes amid the circulation of claims suggesting that parents of students under the Free SHS programme were required to pay GH¢1,500 for items including chop boxes and trunks.

The GES has rejected the claim and maintained that no such payment directive has been issued.