The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has revealed that students under the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme are paying more fees compared to previous years when the free SHS policy was not implemented.
In a press statement, the education policy research and advocacy organisation argued, “In the 2016/17 academic year, before the free SHS, newly admitted DAY STUDENTS were paying GHC 600 a year; the equivalent of 75 days minimum wage (GHC8 /day)”.
“Today, under free SHS, a school like Manso-Edubia SHS is allegedly collecting GHC 1,640 from new students; equivalent to 110 days minimum wage today (GHC14.8/Day)”.
“That’s over 30% more than what they paid in 2016 when there was no free SHS…and we are spending about GHC 3 billion on free SHS this year”.
“While some schools may not be taking illegal fees, others are taking even more than Manso Edubia SHS; some hiding behind PTA receipts, etc., to cover up for illegal fees”.
His comments come in the wake of a clampdown on illegal charges that have resulted in the interdiction of 11 SHS headteachers across the country within two days.
This was contained in separate press statements issued by Regional GES offices.
The statements announced that the GES has initiated comprehensive investigations into the conduct of these headteachers.
The affected headteachers are Selina Anane Afoakwa, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS; Nataniel Asamoah, Headmaster of Asanteman SHS; Andrews Boateng, Headmaster of Kumasi Senior High Technical School; Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah, Headmaster of Manso-Edubia SHS; Daniel Boamah Duku, Headmaster of the Agric Nzema Community SHS; Gladys Sarfowah, Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School; Ampong Ahmed Omar, Headmaster of Collins SHS; Afi Yaw Stephen, Headmaster of Berekum Senior High School; and Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu, Headmaster of Odomaseman Senior High School.
Additionally, the headteachers of O’Reilly Senior High School and Ghana Senior High School, Nadia Lartechoe Annan and Patience Naki Mensah, respectively, are also part of the interdicted group.
The GES accused the headteachers of charging students various unapproved fees, including house dues, books, calculators, admission process fees, and charges for printing slips, files, and hymn books.
Eduwatch wants GES to “adopt an open and transparent process in its investigations into the alleged widespread illegal charges by the many interdicted school heads and others yet to be interdicted”.
Eduwatch further pointed out that some of the demands by the headteachers may be useful in the free SHS programme.
“I also note the various reasons by some school heads, which does not amount to a justification, in my opinion”.
“However, given the sheer number of school heads involved, as there appears to be significant defiance, it may be necessary for the GES and GTVET to consider a public inquiry to afford the school heads an opportunity to justify their unprescribed actions to the general and stakeholder public, as well as their employer”.
“Aside from the possible sanctions some may face, they might have some useful inputs into the free SHS programme”.
“Eduwatch is compiling its own list of ‘Stubborn Academy’ heads for submission to the GES for investigation and action”.
“Unlike previous cases, the Ghana Education Service and GTVET must not attempt to hide the outcome of these investigations”.
“This is a public interest matter,” the statement added.