Ministry of Education Resolves 30,000 Placement Disputes as GES Orders Refund of Unauthorized School Fees

The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are intensifying efforts to streamline the transition of students into second-cycle institutions following the latest placement cycle. The Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Resolution Centre has successfully addressed 30,781 out of 37,117 reported issues, representing an 83% resolution rate. Concurrently, GES Director-General Professor Ernest Kofi Davis has issued a stern directive to school heads to immediately refund all unauthorized fees collected during the enrollment of fresh students, reinforcing the government's commitment to the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

According to Hashmin Mohammed, the Press Secretary for the Ministry of Education, the 6,936 cases remaining unresolved primarily involve requests for students to switch from day to boarding status. Mohammed explained that many students initially opted for day status to increase their chances of being placed in competitive schools, but later sought boarding placements due to the logistical challenges of long-distance commutes. While some families have secured successful placement changes, others have voiced frustration, reporting multiple visits to resolution centres without reaching a final outcome. This logistical bottleneck remains the primary hurdle in finalizing this year's placement exercise.

On the financial front, Professor Davis emphasized that any demand for additional fees by school heads is a direct violation of national policy aimed at providing accessible education without financial barriers. The GES has warned that school administrators who fail to comply with the refund directive will face severe penalties. Parents are being actively encouraged to report any incidents where schools demand unauthorized payments, as the GES seeks to ensure that no student is denied entry to school based on illegal charges.

Beyond immediate enrollment concerns, the GES reported significant progress in stabilizing the national academic calendar to ensure students return to school on schedule. Professor Davis also acknowledged ongoing engagements with teacher unions, committing to improvements in teacher promotions and overall welfare. These measures are part of a broader effort to maintain stability and improve the quality of the educational environment for both educators and students as the new academic term begins.