GES and TVET Service Launch Crackdown on Unauthorized Admission Fees and Mandatory Prospectus Sales

The Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana TVET Service have issued stern warnings and launched investigations into Senior High Schools (SHS) and technical institutions over the collection of unauthorized fees and the compulsory sale of school supplies. These directives, announced on September 22, 2026, come in response to numerous complaints from parents regarding financial barriers imposed during the ongoing admissions cycle. Both regulatory bodies emphasized that such practices undermine the government's commitment to equitable access to education and the integrity of the Free TVET policy.

The GES is specifically probing reports that some SHS heads are compelling parents to purchase prospectus items directly from the schools at inflated prices rather than allowing them to buy from the open market. Daniel Fenyi, the GES Public Relations Officer, clarified that while schools may offer items for sale, they are strictly prohibited from making these purchases mandatory. Furthermore, the GES has issued guidance to ensure no student is denied admission due to financial constraints, including a specific directive against rejecting students based on the type of personal storage containers or trunks they bring to school.

Simultaneously, the Ghana TVET Service has cautioned Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions against charging unapproved admission processing fees or requiring the purchase of prospectuses. The Service stated that these actions violate the mandates of the Free TVET policy, which aims to provide quality vocational training without unnecessary costs to families. To enforce compliance, the TVET Service is deploying Academic Calendar Monitoring Teams nationwide to assess admission processes. Heads of institutions found to be facilitating unauthorized charges have been warned they will face swift disciplinary action.

These coordinated efforts by education authorities are designed to protect parents from exploitation and ensure a transparent enrollment process. Parents and guardians have been urged not to make any payments outside of officially approved fees and to report any instances of extortion or unauthorized demands to the appropriate authorities. By maintaining strict oversight, the GES and TVET Service aim to ensure that the transition to secondary and vocational education remains accessible to all Ghanaian children, regardless of their economic background.