The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a strong warning to schools. They are forbidden from collecting any unauthorised fees from students. No school has been given permission to charge students extra money.
This announcement was made in a statement released on Wednesday, May 6. The GES made it clear that no school has permission to charge fees of any kind. This includes charges for feeding students. The service is concerned about claims that some schools are asking for more money.
Ghana's economy relies heavily on education. The Free Senior High School (SHS) policy is a major government initiative. It aims to make secondary education accessible to all young Ghanaians. This policy has been a cornerstone of educational reform since its introduction. Prior attempts to increase educational access faced challenges due to cost. The GES is committed to ensuring this policy continues to work effectively for everyone.
According to the GES statement, any school that collects money under the guise of feeding fees is breaking the law. The statement also mentioned that these actions are not approved by the management. The government wants to uphold the Free SHS policy. They see any actions that weaken it as harmful to the nation's progress. Parents and students are encouraged to report any unusual fee demands. The GES promises quick investigations and proper actions against offenders.
This directive follows recent reports about financial challenges in the education sector. Earlier in 2026, the GETFund released GHS 199.47 million. This money was meant to help supply food to Senior High Schools and TVET schools. The government also approved a plan to pay salary arrears for GES staff. These moves highlight ongoing efforts to manage the financial aspects of education. The GES's firm stance now shows a commitment to protecting the policy's integrity. Future actions will likely focus on stricter oversight and enforcement.