The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern warning to schools across the country against the collection of unauthorised fees from students and parents, stressing that no institution has been granted approval to impose any form of levy.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Service clarified that it has “not authorised or sanctioned any school to charge fees—under any name or in any form—from students or parents,” and urged the public to disregard reports suggesting otherwise.
The directive follows growing public concerns and allegations that some schools have allegedly begun charging additional fees, including purported feeding fees, despite the government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
GES described such practices as illegal and warned that any school found engaging in the collection of unapproved fees would be sanctioned accordingly.
“Any school found to be charging money under the guise of feeding fees, as alleged, is acting unlawfully and without the approval of Management,” the statement emphasised.
The Service reaffirmed government’s commitment to the Free SHS policy, describing it as a key intervention aimed at ensuring equal access to secondary education for all qualified Ghanaian students without financial barriers.
According to GES, efforts are ongoing not only to sustain the policy but also to improve its implementation to better serve students and families across the country.
The statement further cautioned against attempts to undermine the policy through misinformation or the imposition of illegal charges, noting that such actions run contrary to the national interest.
GES therefore encouraged parents, guardians, and students who encounter any unauthorised fee demands to promptly report them to the Service for investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
The latest warning is expected to reinforce transparency and accountability within the education sector as government continues efforts to protect the integrity of the Free SHS programme.
GES Warns Schools Against Unauthorised Fee Collection
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