Refund monies collected for 2025 WASSCE Practicals – GES

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a directive to all Regional Directors to ensure that school heads refund any monies collected from students, parents, or guardians in respect of the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations.

This comes after it emerged that some Heads of Schools had demanded payments from candidates despite the government’s full sponsorship of the practical component of this year’s exam.

In a memo signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General (Management Services), Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs), the GES stated, “The Government of Ghana has released full funding to cover the costs of the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations, including all required materials and resources.”

The memo continued, “Management notices with concern that some Heads have engaged in the collection of monies from Candidates/Parents/Guardians for these same practicals.”

Reacting to these reports, the GES directed that, “Heads of Schools who have engaged in such collections are hereby directed to refund any monies collected from students or parents in respect of WASSCE practicals.”

In addition to the refund, the GES also directed that the process be carried out with full documentation and accountability.

“Ensure that the refund process is properly documented, and official receipts are issued to acknowledge repayment.”

Heads of Schools are further expected to inform their respective Regional Directors upon completion of the refund process.

“Notify your Regional Director once refunds have been completed.”

The memo explained that this action is to ensure no student is left out of the examination process because of money.

“Compliance with this directive will reduce the financial burden on students and parents and ensure that no learner is excluded from participation over lack of money.”

The GES cautioned that any refusal to comply with the directive would be treated as a serious offence.

“Failure to comply will be considered a serious breach of official instructions and may attract administrative sanctions.”

To ensure full compliance, the Service requested that the directive be disseminated to all schools through the appropriate district and municipal channels.

“Regional Directors are by this letter requested to share this information with all Heads of schools through their respective Municipal/Metro/District Directors of Education.”

The directive comes just days after a public press release from the Ghana Education Service on July 26, which confirmed that government had disbursed full funding to cover all 2025 WASSCE practicals across Senior High Schools and Technical Schools in the country.

The earlier release indicated that the support was aimed at easing financial pressure on parents and ensuring that students have access to the needed materials and resources for the exams.

GES said it would continue to monitor the situation to ensure compliance and to uphold the government’s policy of free, fair, and inclusive education.