SHS admissions: No forced purchases or unauthorised charges – GES warns heads

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) to immediately stop imposing unauthorised charges on parents and guardians.

The directive follows reports that some school heads were imposing charges and compelling parents to purchase items including trunks, chop boxes, uniforms and cutlasses directly from their schools.

In a letter dated September 18, 2026, and signed by Deputy Director-General Prof. Smile Dzisi on behalf of the Director-General, the GES instructed Regional Directors to ensure that all heads of SHSs and SHTSs comply with approved guidelines on student admissions and requirements.

“Heads of Schools are directed to immediately desist from such practices and ensure strict compliance with approved guidelines on admission of students and student requirements,” the directive said.

The GES warned that school heads who impose unauthorised charges or compel parents to purchase items through their schools would face administrative sanctions.

“Any Head of School found imposing unauthorised charges or compelling parents to purchase items through the school shall face severe administrative sanctions in accordance with GES regulations,” it said.

Regional Directors have been tasked with communicating the directive to all heads of SHSs and SHTSs in their respective regions and ensuring compliance.