The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Kofi Asare, has told the Ghana Education Service (GES) to conduct a public inquiry into the alleged illegal fees that were charged first-year students in the Senior High Schools despite the free education policy.
Headmasters in seven Senior High Schools in Ashanti Region have been asked to step aside for collecting unauthorized monies from candidates placed in their schools.
This is contained in directives issued by the GES to these headteachers via separate letters.
The senior high schools are; Kumasi Girls, Asanteman, Kumasi, Manso Adubia, Agric Nzema Community, Nkawie and Collins Senior High School.
“It has come to the notice of Management the collection of unauthorised monies as part of the admission process,” a letter dated December 8, 2023 to the Headmasters read.
The letter listed the unauthorised monies to include payments for; sewn anniversary cloth, House dues, sale of books, sale of calculators, and sale of anniversary cloth among others.
The Headmasters were therefore asked to hand over with immediate effect.
“Based on the above and as the code of conduct stipulates, you are to step aside for investigation to be conducted. you are hereby directed to hand over all properties of the school with effect from 8th December, 2023 to the Regional Director of Education,” the GES directed.
Mr Kofi Asare noted that in his opinion, the various reasons by some school heads for the charges do not justify their actions.
“However, given the sheer number of school heads involved, as there appears to be significant defiance, it may be necessary for the GES and GTVET to consider a public inquiry to afford the school heads an opportunity to justify their unprescribed actions to the general and stakeholder public, as well as their employer.
“Aside the possible sanctions some may face, they might have some useful inputs into the free SHS programme,” he said in a statement.
Below is his full statement…
I am upset about the alleged illegal fees being imposed on newly admitted students in SHS by some school authorities even amid the free SHS.
If you understand the ensuing analysis, you will appreciate why:
In the 2016/17 academic year, before the free SHS, newly admitted DAY STUDENTS were paying GHC 600 a year; the equivalent of 75 days minimum wage (GHC8 /day).
Today, under free SHS, a school like Manso-Edubia SHS is allegedly collecting GHC 1,640 from new students; equivalent to 110 days minimum wage today (GHC14.8/Day).
That’s over 30% more than what they paid in 2016 when there was no free SHS…and we are spending about GHC 3 billion on free SHS this year.
Does this make sence?
While some schools may not be taking illegal fees, others are taking even more than Manso Edubia SHS; some hiding behind PTA receipts etc. to cover up for illegal fees.
This is why the GES should adopt an open and transparent process in its investigations into the alleged widespread illegal charges by the many interdicted school heads and others yet to be interdicted.
I also note the various reasons by some school heads, which does not amount to a justification in my opinion.
However, given the sheer number of school heads involved, as there appears to be significant defiance, it may be necessary for the GES and GTVET to consider a public inquiry to afford the school heads an opportunity to justify their unprescribed actions to the general and stakeholder public, as well as their employer.
Aside the possible sanctions some may face, they might have some useful inputs into the free SHS programme.
Eduwatch is compiling its own list of ‘Stubborn Academy’ heads for submission to the GES for investigation and action.
Unlike previous cases, the Ghana Education Service and GTVET must not attempt to hide the outcome of these investigations.
This is a public interest matter.