Stop the unauthorised WASSCE fee at KASEC now

The unfolding situation at Kadjebi Asato Senior High School (KASEC) in the Oti Region demands urgent and decisive intervention from the Ghana Education Service (GES).

Reports that all 956 final-year students have been compelled to pay an unapproved GH¢500 fee as a condition to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are deeply troubling and wholly unacceptable, particularly when such a demand runs contrary to established GES directives (see back page).

Education in Ghana, especially at the senior high school level, has in recent years been guided by policies aimed at ensuring equity, access and fairness.

Central to this framework is the understanding that no candidate should be denied the opportunity to write a national examination due to financial constraints arising from unauthorised charges.

The Daily Graphic thus considers the alleged imposition of this fee not only undermines that principle but also threatens to reverse gains made in expanding access to secondary education.

The situation is made even more concerning by the context within which it is occurring.

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has already released substantial funding—GH¢22.3 million specifically earmarked for WASSCE practicals for 2026 candidates.

This intervention was intended to remove precisely the kind of financial burden now being placed on students at KASEC.

Any attempt, therefore, to extract additional fees under the pretext of supporting practical examinations raises serious questions about compliance, transparency and accountability.

Beyond the policy breach, there is a human dimension that must not be overlooked. Final-year students preparing for a high-stakes examination such as the WASSCE require a stable, supportive and stress-free environment to perform at their best.

The uncertainty and anxiety created by the threat of exclusion over an unapproved fee can have a significant psychological impact on these candidates.

It is worth emphasising that a psychologically stable candidate is a sine qua non for optimal performance in any examination.

Introducing fear, distress and financial pressure at this critical moment is not only unfair but also counterproductive to the very goals of the education system.

Moreover, the reports that some students have already paid under duress, while others remain uncertain about their fate due to financial hardship, point to a deeply inequitable situation.

Education must not become a privilege for those who can afford to navigate unauthorised demands. It must remain a right accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.

We demand that the Ghana Education Service acts swiftly.

A prompt and thorough investigation into the matter is essential, but more importantly, immediate steps must be taken to halt the collection of the said fee and to assure all affected students that they will be allowed to sit for their examinations without any hindrance.

Clear communication from the authorities will go a long way in calming nerves and restoring confidence among students, parents and teachers.

At the same time, accountability must be enforced. Any individual or group found culpable in imposing or facilitating this unauthorised fee must face the full rigours of GES sanctions.

Upholding discipline within the education sector is critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring that policies are respected at all levels of administration.

This incident also serves as a reminder of the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms within schools.

Decentralisation of authority must not translate into unchecked discretion.

School heads and administrators must operate within clearly defined guidelines, and deviations must attract swift consequences.

Ultimately, the priority must be the welfare and future of the students.

They have worked for years to reach this crucial stage in their academic journey, and it would be a grave injustice to allow administrative lapses or misconduct to derail their aspirations.

We know the GES has both the authority and the responsibility to intervene and it must act decisively, firmly and in the best interest of the students whose futures hang in the balance.