Ghana: GES Cracks Down on Unauthorised SHS Fees

In a statement dated September 23, 2026, the GES management reiterated that no student or parent should be compelled to pay admission fees, PTA dues, or any other unapproved charges as a condition for school enrollment or participation in activities. The Service emphasized that such practices directly contradict national policy, which guarantees free access to secondary education. School heads have been instructed to refund any such fees already collected and to submit official evidence of these refunds to the regional directorates. The GES also clarified that the broader issue of PTA dues remains a subject of ongoing litigation, meaning all such collections must remain on hold until the courts provide further guidance. Public reports of schools bypassing these regulations prompted the swift intervention. The GES has encouraged parents and guardians to report any school authorities attempting to circumvent these rules, ensuring that financial barriers do not impede the national goal of universal secondary education.