The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has forcefully reiterated the government’s commitment to providing free and accessible basic education to every child in Ghana. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Minister issued a stern warning to school heads and teachers against imposing unauthorized exam fees.
Hon. Iddrisu disclosed that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), has deployed monitoring teams across the country. These teams are tasked with conducting audit inspections and strengthening accountability within the basic school system.
The Minister explained that the GES has implemented strict reporting timelines and additional monitoring mechanisms to track compliance, improve transparency, and address administrative irregularities. These measures, he noted, are part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to eliminate financial barriers that hinder children’s full participation in basic education.
He emphasized that Capitation Grants have been fully released to all public basic schools, confirming that these funds specifically include rovisions for examination-related expenses. This ensures that pupils and parents are not required to pay any examination fee.
The Minister therefore cautioned parents not to succumb to illegal financial demands from school authorities.
Haruna Iddrisu issued a firm warning that the government will not tolerate practices that undermine the policy of free basic education or burden families.
”Any individual found charging exam fees in violation of the Ministry’s directive will face strict sanctions,” the Minister stated, stressing the Ministry’s commitment to promoting fairness, accountability, and equal access to quality education for all Ghanaian children.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
