GES Director-General Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis Orders Immediate Refund of Unauthorized Senior High School Fees

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern directive to heads of all second-cycle institutions to immediately refund any unauthorized fees collected from fresh students during the current enrollment cycle. Director-General Professor Ernest Kofi Davis announced the mandate, emphasizing that such collections are in direct violation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, which is designed to eliminate financial barriers to secondary education. This move follows widespread reports and complaints from parents regarding illegal levies and additional charges imposed by some school administrators or third-party entities.

Professor Davis warned that non-compliance with this directive will result in severe penalties for school heads. He reiterated that the GES remains committed to the integrity of the Free SHS policy, ensuring that no child is denied an education due to financial constraints. To enforce accountability, the service has encouraged parents and guardians to report any demands for unauthorized payments to GES officials. By empowering the public to speak out against these practices, the GES aims to curb exploitative administrative behavior and protect the financial interests of families across the nation.

In addition to addressing fee violations, the Director-General highlighted improvements in the stability of the academic calendar and enrollment timelines. He noted that the synchronization of the school year has benefited both students and teachers, providing a more predictable and effective learning environment. Professor Davis also used the opportunity to address ongoing labor concerns, appealing to teacher unions to reconsider strike actions. He assured educators that the government is making progress on negotiations concerning promotions and other welfare issues, emphasizing the importance of keeping schools open and functional.

This crackdown on unauthorized fees aligns with the broader educational priorities of the administration under President John Mahama. By ensuring that public schools adhere strictly to the Free SHS guidelines, the GES is working to maintain public trust in the state's educational commitments. Moving forward, the service plans to monitor enrollment processes more closely and continue its dialogue with teacher unions to prevent further industrial disruptions, ultimately aiming to improve the overall quality and accessibility of education for all Ghanaian students.