General News
GES Orders SHS Heads to Stop Unauthorised Fees, Refund Parents
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) to stop collecting unauthorised fees and levies from parents and guardians immediately.
The directive, contained in a statement dated September 23, 2026, with reference number GES/HQ/PR/26/157, was issued by the GES Public Relations Unit at its headquarters in Accra and signed by Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations, GES.
The Service said the directive follows reports received by management that some heads of SHSs and SHTSs were demanding admission fees, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues and other unauthorised charges from parents and guardians.
GES has therefore ordered all affected school authorities to stop the practice immediately.
According to the Service, the collection of such fees is contrary to the government’s policy on Free Senior High School (Free SHS) education.
GES stressed that no student or parent or guardian should be compelled, either directly or indirectly, to pay admission fees, PTA dues or any other unauthorised charges as a condition for accessing education.
The Service said such payments must not be made a prerequisite for: Admission into a school; Enrolment; Participation in school activities; or access to school services.
The directive means that school authorities cannot deny or restrict students from accessing school-related services because their parents or guardians have not paid unauthorised charges.
GES also addressed the collection of PTA dues and levies, explaining that the matter is currently before the courts.
Pending the determination of the case, the Service directed that discussions and collection of PTA dues and levies should remain on hold.
The latest directive follows previous concerns raised by GES over unauthorised PTA and development levies in schools.
In October 2025, the Service similarly cautioned schools against collecting unauthorised PTA levies and emphasised that approved payments should not be used as a basis to deny students access to school services.
Beyond stopping the collection of unauthorised charges, GES has directed school heads to refund any unauthorised fees or levies already collected from parents and guardians.
The heads of the affected schools are also required to provide evidence of the refunds to GES Management.
The directive places responsibility on school authorities to ensure that any money collected in breach of the directive is returned and properly accounted for.
GES has warned that persons who violate the directive will face appropriate administrative sanctions.
The Service specifically indicated that removal from office could be among the sanctions imposed on heads who fail to comply.
The warning reinforces the responsibility of school heads, directors and other authorities to ensure that parents and students are not subjected to financial demands that have not been authorised.
The Service has also urged parents, guardians and members of the public to report cases where schools demand or collect unauthorised fees and levies.
GES said such complaints will be investigated and the necessary action taken against those found to have breached the directive.
The Service expressed appreciation to stakeholders, particularly school heads, directors and parents, for their cooperation in implementing the directive.
The GES directive requires that:
- Heads of SHSs and SHTSs immediately stop collecting unauthorised fees and levies.
- Admission fees, PTA dues and other unauthorised charges must not be demanded from parents or guardians.
- Students and parents must not be compelled to make such payments as a condition for admission, enrolment, participation in school activities or access to school services.
- The collection of unauthorised charges is contrary to the government’s Free SHS policy.
- The collection of PTA dues and levies remains on hold while the matter is before the courts.
- Schools that have already collected unauthorised fees must refund the money.
- School heads must submit evidence of the refunds to GES Management.
- Persons who breach the directive may face administrative sanctions, including removal from office.
- Parents and members of the public are encouraged to report violations to GES.
The directive reiterates the GES position that students’ access to senior high school education, school activities and related services must not be made conditional on the payment of unauthorised fees or levies.
