Ghana Education Service and Ministry of Education Alert Parents on School Placement Scams and EduPack Payment Disputes

The Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education have issued urgent warnings to parents and students regarding fraudulent activities surrounding the 2026 school placement exercise. As the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) process continues—with over half a million candidates already placed—officials have flagged the circulation of forged placement slips on social media. These altered documents, which feature mismatched barcodes and QR codes, have prompted the Ministry to refer the matter to the Cyber Security Authority for a full investigation. Authorities have emphasized that school placements are entirely free and have urged the public to rely solely on official CSSPS channels to avoid being misled by digital alterations.

In addition to the forged documents, the GES has warned against a rising tide of scammers posing as officials from the Ministry, GES, or the Ghana TVET Service. These individuals reportedly claim they can secure or change school placements for a fee. The GES clarified that no legitimate educational body or school official requires payment for placement services. Parents and guardians who encounter such demands are encouraged to report these incidents immediately to the Ghana Police Service or the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This proactive stance is intended to protect families from financial exploitation during the high-pressure transition to Senior High School (SHS).

Concurrently, a controversy has emerged regarding the distribution of "EduPack" packages, intended to provide essential items to SHS and Technical School (SHTS) students to mitigate issues like bedbug infestations. While the GES initiated distribution between August 1 and September 10, 2026, the National Council of Parents-Teachers Associations (NCPTA) has cautioned parents against paying GHS 1,617 to EduPack PGL for items such as trunks and mattresses. The NCPTA alleged that the company has misleadingly claimed official GES endorsement for these sales and reminded parents of their right to purchase such items from the open market. The Council has called for punitive measures against the company and any school heads facilitating unauthorized payment demands.

Beyond administrative and financial concerns, the MISORNU Safety Centre has called for enhanced road safety measures to protect schoolchildren returning for the 2026/27 academic year. Citing distressing statistics on pedestrian knockdowns, the centre urged local authorities to reduce speed limits near schools and increase police presence in high-risk zones. In a separate development outside of education, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has announced the immediate closure of payments for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage. This move aims to align the number of confirmed pilgrims with the approved quota, preventing the oversubscription and administrative challenges that have impacted previous pilgrimages.