First-year SHS day students require GHS600 to buy items on prospectus, not GHS3,500 — Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has refuted claims that newly admitted Senior High School (SHS) day students require GHS3,500 to purchase essential items listed on the 2024/25 National Harmonized Prospectus.

According to Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for the MoE, a much lower amount of GHS600 is sufficient to cover the required items, contrary to assertions made by some supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a statement posted on social media on Friday, November 1, Kwarteng addressed the concerns, which had sparked debate among Ghanaians.

He emphasized that the reported amount of GHS3,500 was exaggerated and aimed to misinform the public.

“Claims by our friends on the other side [NDC supporters] that a DAY student requires Ghc3,500 to buy items on the harmonized prospectus are unfounded & inaccurate,” Kwarteng stated. “With as little as Ghc600, a day student can obtain the full complement of items listed on the prospectus.”

The 2024/25 academic year prospectus, which outlines the necessary supplies for SHS day students, includes basic educational and personal hygiene items.

According to the official list provided by the Ghana Education Service (GES), day students are required to have:

• Mathematical Set and Scientific Calculator

• Decent Sandals (specific to each school and without embellishment)

• Decent Sneakers (either black or white)

• School Bag
In addition to these general items, students are also assigned specific items under categorized groups labeled 1, 2, or 3, depending on their designated group in the placement system.

For example, students in Group 1 are required to have items like hard hand gloves, 5 liters of liquid soap, and 1 kilogram of washing powder, while Group 2 requires small-sized bleach, a dust pan, a long-handle broom, and a scrubbing brush.

Group 3 students need a standing mop with a bucket, a duster, and a short local broom.