The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a strong warning to heads of basic schools who are allegedly imposing unauthorized Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) registration fees on final-year students.
In a press release dated February 12, 2025, GES stated that it had taken notice of complaints circulating on social media about some school heads demanding fees from students for their BECE registration. The management of GES emphasized that such charges are illegal and must stop immediately.
To ensure compliance, the GES has instructed Regional Directors to alert District Directors to monitor the situation closely and caution all heads of basic schools against imposing such fees.
Sanctions for Non-Compliance
GES further directed that any school head who has already collected unauthorized fees must refund the monies to the affected students without delay. Failure to comply, according to the statement, will result in sanctions.
The statement also reminded heads of schools that late registration of candidates will not be allowed, urging them to ensure that all eligible students are registered within the stipulated period set by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
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Public Caution
GES urged the general public, especially parents and guardians, to take note of the directive and report any violations to the appropriate authorities.
The press release was signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the Head of the GES Public Relations Unit.
This move by GES is seen as an effort to prevent financial exploitation of students and ensure that BECE registration remains free and accessible as mandated by the government.
Conclusion
With BECE being a crucial examination in the education system, GES’s firm stance against unauthorized charges is expected to bring relief to parents and students. The focus now will be on how effectively the directive is enforced to curb such practices in schools across the country.
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