GES orders schools to charge second term fees only

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of second cycle institutions to ensure that final year students pay only  the second term school fees now.

The final year students are to be allowed to attend classes unimpeded and without harassment from the school authorities.

“Heads of Senior High Schools should note this directive and comply accordingly,” a statement signed by the acting Director-General of the GES, Mr Jacob A.M. Kor, stated, urging metropolitan, municipal, district and regional directors to ensure strict compliance with the directive.

The directive followed reports that some headmasters of senior high schools are demanding that final year students pay both the second and third term fees together before the end of the second term.

The statement said the attention of the management of the GES had been drawn to a notice issued by some heads of SHSs to parents and guardians of final year students to pay both the second and third term fees at a go before their wards and children could write the 2015 West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

“The Ghana Education Service reminds all heads of senior high schools that under no circumstance should parents or guardians of final year students be made to pay consolidated school fees comprising both second and third term fees for the 2014/2015 academic year. “This practice is against the guidelines for the payment of fees which states that parents are to pay term fees only,” the statement said.

It, however, reminded parents, guardians and students that “school fees must be settled before the end of each school term. In the case of final year students, their fees must be paid in full before they finish the 2015 West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations.