GES Director-General Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis Orders SHS Heads to Refund Unauthorized Fees or Face Dismissal

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern ultimatum to heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country, demanding the immediate cessation and refund of all unauthorized fees and items collected from parents and students. Under the leadership of Director-General Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, the service warned that school administrators who fail to comply with this directive risk severe disciplinary action, including summary removal from their positions. This move signals a rigorous enforcement of government directives aimed at protecting the integrity of the nation's educational system and ensuring that financial barriers do not impede student access.

According to the GES, the collection of these unapproved levies directly contradicts the foundational principles of the Free Senior High School policy. The policy was designed specifically to eliminate the financial burdens previously placed on families, thereby broadening access to secondary education for all eligible students. Professor Davis emphasized that any headteacher found to be undermining this flagship initiative through illegal charges is effectively sabotaging the state's efforts to provide equitable education. The Director-General reiterated that the GES will maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward practices that exploit parents or deviate from official budgetary guidelines.

To ensure compliance and transparency, the GES has called upon parents and guardians to be vigilant and proactive in reporting any demands for unauthorized payments or materials to the service. By empowering the public to act as monitors, the GES aims to create a more accountable administrative environment within the secondary education sector. This directive serves as a clear reminder to all educational stakeholders that the current administration remains committed to the total elimination of hidden costs, ensuring that the promise of free education remains a reality for all Ghanaian households.