GES Denies Free SHS Cancellation, Warns Public Against GH¢1,500 Payment Scam

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has been cancelled and that parents and guardians have been directed to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes and trunks.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the GES described the publication as false and urged parents, guardians, students and the general public to disregard it.

The Service clarified that the Free SHS policy remains in effect and that the Director-General has not issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to pay for chop boxes, trunks or any other items.

The GES further explained that the Director-General does not have the authority to cancel the Free SHS policy.

“Management has not cancelled the Free SHS policy, nor has the Director-General issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to pay any money for chop boxes, trunks or any other item,” the statement said.

The Service consequently cautioned the public against making payments to individuals based on the false publication.

It urged parents and guardians to rely solely on official information communicated through the GES’s authorised channels and to treat unverified reports circulating on social media with caution.

The GES also appealed to members of the public and media organisations to refrain from creating, publishing or circulating false information that could cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the wider public.

The clarification comes as preparations continue for the new academic year. The Service stressed that any official information regarding Free SHS and related requirements will be communicated through its authorised channels.