GES warns schools against unauthorised fees and reaffirms the Free SHS policy.

GES warns schools against unauthorised fees, stating that no institution has approval to charge students or parents, as concerns grow over alleged feeding levies.

ACCRA, Ghana — 7 May 2026

GES unauthorised school fees have come under scrutiny after the Ghana Education Service (GES) issued a nationwide warning that no school is permitted to charge any form of levy from students or parents. The directive follows reports that some schools may be imposing additional charges, including alleged feeding fees, despite existing government policy. GES said 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 contrary claims.

GES unauthorised school fees warning targets illegal charges

The Ghana Education Service said any institution found charging fees, particularly under the guise of feeding costs, would be acting unlawfully and without approval. Officials warned that such practices undermine national education policy and could trigger disciplinary action. In a separate clarification, GES described circulating claims about approved charges as misinformation and reiterated that no such authorisation exists. The service emphasised that enforcement measures would be applied where violations were identified.

The free SHS policy remains central

GES reaffirmed that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy remains fully in place and continues to be supported by government. The policy is designed to remove financial barriers to secondary education and ensure equal access for eligible students. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to sustain and improve the programme, warning that any attempts to impose fees or spread misinformation would be treated as contrary to the national interest.

Impact: parents and students affected

For parents and students, the issue has direct financial implications. Reports of unauthorised fees have raised concerns among households that are already managing rising living costs. Some parents have reported being asked to pay additional charges linked to feeding and other services, creating uncertainty over what is officially required. Students may also face pressure within schools if someone enforces such payments informally. GES has advised that any such demands should be reported for investigation and action.

Opposing view: schools cite operational pressures

While authorities maintain that no fees are permitted, some education stakeholders argue that schools face operational challenges that may lead them to impose unofficial charges. Schools say that existing funding arrangements do not always fully cover rising costs of food, utilities, and maintenance. Analysts note that the situation creates tension between policy objectives and on-the-ground realities, particularly in boarding schools where feeding costs are significant. However, GES insists that any such issues must be addressed through official channels rather than informal fee collection.

Enforcement and reporting mechanisms

GES has urged parents and students to report any instances of unauthorised fee collection directly to its management. Officials said complaints would be investigated promptly, with disciplinary measures applied where necessary. The Service also emphasised the importance of public awareness in preventing exploitation and ensuring compliance with national policy. Read more from this category

What this means

The GES unauthorised school fees directive highlights a critical gap in policy implementation in Ghana’s education system. While Free SHS guarantees fee-free access in principle, reports of informal charges suggest challenges in funding and enforcement. Before the introduction of Free SHS, schools relied more heavily on direct contributions from parents. The current model shifts responsibility to government, requiring stronger oversight. Many countries implementing free education policies face similar challenges, balancing access with sustainable funding.

Practical consequences

Increased scrutiny of school-level financial practices
Potential disciplinary action against non-compliant institutions
Greater awareness among parents and students
Pressure on government to address funding gaps

For policymakers, the issue underscores the need for stronger monitoring systems and clearer funding mechanisms. For families, it reinforces the importance of verifying official requirements and reporting irregularities.