Gov’t’s commitment to improving free SHS has not changed — GES

The Ghana Education Service has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration’s commitment to sustaining and improving the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.

This follows reports that some senior high schools are allegedly charging feeding fees from parents, raising concerns among sections of the public over the effectiveness of the policy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, the GES denied authorising any school to collect such fees from students or parents.

“Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has not authorised or sanctioned any school to charge fees—under any name or in any form—from students or parents,” the statement said.

The Service urged the public to disregard claims suggesting that schools have approval to impose feeding-related charges.

According to the GES, any school found charging such fees is acting unlawfully and without approval from management.

“Government’s commitment to not only maintain the Free SHS policy, but improve upon it, has not changed,” the statement noted.

The GES further cautioned that any attempt to undermine the policy through misinformation or unauthorised fee collection would be treated seriously.

It also encouraged parents and students who are asked to pay feeding fees to report such incidents to the management of the Service for investigation and possible sanctions.