The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned heads of Senior High Schools (SHSs) against charging parents and students for items or services not captured in the officially approved school prospectus under the Free Senior High School policy.
According to the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, schools are not authorised to demand any money or materials outside what has been formally approved for students.
“No school has been permitted to demand money or items outside the approved prospectus,” he stressed, adding that any such practice goes contrary to GES directives.
His comments follow growing complaints from parents that some schools continue to request additional items such as paint, padlocks, bulbs, markers, and other materials, despite the implementation of the Free SHS policy.
Some parents who spoke to Adom News said that although education is described as free, they are still being asked to provide or pay for various items, which are sometimes presented as compulsory requirements.
The concerns have reignited debate about what the Free SHS policy actually covers, especially as families continue to face rising living costs alongside school-related expenses.
Mr. Fenyi clarified that the approved prospectus remains the only legitimate guide for items students are expected to provide.
He explained that where schools face genuine challenges, support should come through voluntary contributions from Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) or old students’ associations, and not compulsory demands on parents.
“Anything outside the approved prospectus is not sanctioned by GES,” he reiterated.
While education stakeholders acknowledge funding and infrastructure challenges in some schools, GES insists such constraints do not justify breaching the approved guidelines.
The Service is therefore urging parents to report any school found demanding unauthorised items or payments for investigation and possible sanctions.
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