GES Orders Refunds for Unauthorized Fees as CSSPS Resolves Over 30,000 School Placement Issues

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern directive to the heads of all senior high schools to immediately refund any unauthorized fees collected during the current student enrollment cycle. Highlighting that such charges directly violate the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, GES Director-General Professor Ernest Kofi Davis emphasized that the mandate is intended to remove financial barriers to education. He warned that non-compliance would be met with severe penalties and urged parents to report any school heads demanding illegal payments, while also noting that efforts to stabilize the academic calendar have successfully ensured students return to school on schedule.

Simultaneously, the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Resolution Centre has successfully addressed 30,781 out of 37,117 issues reported during this year’s placement exercise. According to the Ministry of Education’s Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, approximately 83% of grievances have been resolved. However, 6,936 cases remain outstanding, primarily involving students seeking to change their status from day to boarding. Mohammed explained that many students initially selected day status to increase their chances of being placed in competitive schools, only to later realize that the distance from their homes made commuting impractical.

While the CSSPS has seen significant progress, the remaining cases have led to frustration among some parents and students who report making multiple visits to resolution centres without a final result. Despite these delays, the Ministry maintains that the process is ongoing and that many successful re-placements have already been finalized. These administrative efforts are being supported by broader calls from the educational community to improve the quality of the student experience once enrollment is complete.

In tandem with these systemic updates, educationists including Mr. Emma Bennett, Headteacher of Gina’s Angel School, and Mr. Emman Raymond of Intellect School Quiz Educational Consult, are advocating for stronger parent-teacher collaboration. They argue that resolving placement and fee issues is only the first step; sustained academic success requires regular communication between home and school to identify learning challenges early and reinforce positive study habits. As the academic year begins, the focus remains on balancing administrative efficiency with a supportive environment for Ghana's newest secondary students.