The Ghana Education Service (GES) has categorically denied social media claims that the Free Senior High School policy has been cancelled and that parents have been ordered to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks and other items.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, August 18, the Service described the circulating publication as false. The clarification comes as parents and guardians prepare to send their wards to senior high schools for the academic year.
GES stated that the Director-General has neither cancelled the Free SHS policy nor issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to make payments for chop boxes, trunks or any other items. The Service further stressed that the Director-General does not possess the authority to cancel a national policy.
“Management wishes to state categorically that the publication is FALSE and should be disregarded,” the circular read. “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 Service urged parents, guardians and students not to make payments to anyone based on the misinformation circulating online. It advised the public to rely solely on information issued through GES authorised channels and to treat unverified social media publications with caution.
“Parents, guardians, students and the general public are therefore urged not to make any payments to anyone,” the statement continued. “The GES advises the public to rely only on official communications issued through the Service’s authorised channels and to treat unverified publications on social media with caution.”
The Free SHS policy, a flagship government programme, remains in effect. GES has reiterated its commitment to ensuring smooth implementation and has called on stakeholders to disregard false narratives that could cause unnecessary panic or financial exploitation.