GES Probes SHS Heads Accused of Selling Prospectus Items to Parents

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has launched investigations into some senior high school (SHS) heads accused of selling items listed in the national harmonised prospectus to parents.

The GES says some school heads have already been contacted and warned as part of the preliminary investigations.

Speaking in a radio interview Tuesday, September 22, 2026, GES Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, said the Service was conducting background checks and engaging affected school heads before deciding on further administrative action.

“Some schools are already under our radar. Some schools are already under investigation,” he said.

Mr Fenyi explained that the initial approach was to engage and caution the affected heads, but persistent breaches could result in their removal from office.

The investigations follow concerns over the implementation of the 2026/2027 SHS admission requirements after the release of the National Harmonised Prospectus on September 3, 2026.

The prospectus outlines items required by students entering public SHSs and senior high technical schools, including clothing, footwear, toiletries, school bags and other materials.

Mr Fenyi stressed that the release of the prospectus does not give school heads the authority to compel parents to purchase the listed items from their schools.

According to him, most of the items are available on the open market, and parents should be allowed to purchase them from suppliers of their choice.

He said schools could clarify institution-specific requirements, such as the colour of checks, shoes or belts, but should not force parents to buy the items directly from the schools.

The GES has received complaints from some parents who alleged that items sold by certain schools were more expensive than similar products on the open market.

Mr Fenyi said even where a school head chooses to sell an item, parents should not be compelled to purchase it from the school.

The GES position follows a September 18, 2026 directive to heads of SHSs and senior high technical schools after reports that some schools were imposing unauthorised charges and forcing parents to purchase items such as trunks, chop boxes, uniforms and cutlasses directly from the schools.

Mr Fenyi also stressed that no child should be prevented from attending school because a parent cannot afford a required item.

He said the directive covers uniforms, furniture, personal protective equipment and other school requirements.

He reiterated that access to senior high school education remains free and school heads are not expected to demand money from students as a condition for accessing education.

He warned that heads found to have turned their schools into commercial operations could face further administrative sanctions, including removal from office.

Meanwhile, the National Vice-President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Togbe Foe Tsali, has raised concerns over delays in the supply of uniforms to some schools.

He said some second-year students were still wearing their check uniforms because the government-provided school uniforms had not yet been supplied.

Togbe Foe Tsali called for uniforms to be supplied before students report to school and suggested that schools keep a small reserve of uniforms for students whose parents may be unable to afford the required clothing.

Mr Fenyi acknowledged delays in supplying uniforms to some schools, particularly for second-year students, but said distribution had begun, with some schools having already received their supplies.

Togbe Foe Tsali urged school heads to comply with GES directives and ensure that no child is kept out of school because a parent cannot afford an item.

The General Secretary of the National PTA Council, Raphael Kofi Gapson, also called for stronger engagement between the GES, school authorities and parents to prevent misunderstandings over admissions and school requirements.