The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of senior high and technical schools (SHS/SHTS) to immediately stop collecting admission fees, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues and other unauthorised levies from parents and guardians.
The directive follows reports received by the GES Management that some school heads were allegedly collecting such fees despite the government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
In a statement issued by the GES, Management warned that no student or parent or guardian should be compelled, directly or indirectly, to pay any admission fee, PTA dues or other unauthorised charges as a condition for admission, enrolment, participation in school activities or access to school services.
The GES further directed school heads who had already collected such unauthorised fees and levies to refund the money and submit evidence of the refunds to Management.
Heads face sanctions
The Service cautioned that any person found flouting the directive would face appropriate administrative sanctions, including removal from office.
It also urged members of the public to report instances of unauthorised fees or levies to the GES for investigation and appropriate action.
The directive covers admission fees, PTA dues and other charges not authorised under the Free SHS policy.
PTA dues case
On PTA dues, the GES said the matter was currently before the courts and, until its determination, discussions and collection of PTA dues and levies remained on hold.
Management, therefore, urged heads of SHS/SHTS to comply fully with the directive and desist from imposing charges on parents and guardians.
The GES expressed appreciation to school heads, directors, parents and other stakeholders for their cooperation in enforcing the policy.
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