The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern warning to all public basic schools across the country, instructing them to desist from imposing unauthorized registration fees on final-year students preparing to sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
This directive comes in response to growing concerns and allegations circulating on social media, where parents and guardians have reported cases of headteachers demanding unapproved fees before registering students for the national examination.
In a letter signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the Head of the Public Relations Unit at GES, and released on February 12, 2025.
The agency emphasized that no school head has the authority to impose extra charges for BECE registration beyond what is officially mandated by the government and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
However, the statement further instructed all heads of schools who have already collected such fees to refund them immediately. Failure to do so, the statement warned, would result in severe sanctions.
According to Ghana Education Service (GES), the collection of unauthorized fees places undue financial pressure on parents and guardians, many of whom are already struggling with economic hardships.
The "management wishes to emphasize that these fees are unauthorized, and all heads are advised to cease this practice immediately," the statement read. The directive went on to instruct Regional Directors of Education to ensure that District Directors closely monitor schools within their jurisdictions to prevent any further imposition of such fees.
GES also cautioned that late registration of BECE candidates would not be tolerated.
The various school heads have been reminded that all eligible students must be registered within the officially designated period set by WAEC to ensure a smooth examination process.
The issue of unauthorized BECE registration fees has gone viral, causing widespread concern among education stakeholders, parents, and guardians.
Reports have surfaced on various online platforms alleging that some schools demand additional payments before registering students for the exam, despite the fact that BECE registration is covered under government educational policies.
Many parents have expressed their frustrations, questioning why such fees are being imposed when education authorities have not approved them. Some have even taken to social media to share their grievances, urging the government and GES to take swift action against schools that engage in this practice.
An angry parent in Accra, who expressed concern to the media on condition of anonymity, stated, "I was shocked when my child’s school requested an extra amount for BECE registration. We are already dealing with school-related expenses, and now they want to burden us further? The authorities must put a stop to this."
Educational activists have also joined the conversation, advocating for strict enforcement of policies to curb financial exploitation within the education sector. They argue that such practices could discourage students from taking the exams, particularly those from low-income households who may be unable to afford the extra costs.
The Ghana Education Service has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to sit for their final basic education exams without financial barriers. The directive to refund unauthorized fees and cease illegal collections aligns with the government's broader goal of making education accessible to all Ghanaian children.
Over the years, GES has consistently warned schools against levying unauthorized charges on students.
However, the persistent reports of schools disregarding these directives suggest that stricter enforcement mechanisms may be needed.
Some stakeholders are calling for punitive measures such as suspension, demotion, or prosecution of school heads found guilty of extorting money from parents under the guise of registration fees.
To further strengthen compliance, GES is urging parents and guardians to report any school found violating this directive.
Complaints can be directed to the nearest GES office or relevant authorities for prompt action.
As the registration period for the 2025 BECE progresses, all eyes will be on how effectively the GES and WAEC enforce the stipulated guidelines. Parents, students, and education advocates will be watching closely to ensure that no student is denied the opportunity to sit for the BECE due to financial constraints imposed by unapproved fees.
Ghana Education Service (GES) has made its clear that, any attempt to exploit parents through unauthorized fees will not be tolerated. School heads have been warned, and those who defy the directive must be prepared to face the consequences.
