GES bars heads of govt schools, teachers from collecting PTA dues

The management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has barred heads and teachers of government schools in the country against against demanding or collecting unauthorized levies under the guise of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues.

This follows reports received by the Ghana Education Service (GES) that some second-cycle institutions are demanding and collecting various levies under the guise of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues.

“We wish to state that no school has been authorized to collect any Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or development levy without prior approval,” the Service said in a statement sighted by Pretertiary.com.

It explained that in basic schools, such approval must come from the District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) through the District Director of Education, while in second-cycle institutions, authorisation must be granted by the Regional Director of Education.

GES further emphasized that even when such levies are approved, payment remains strictly voluntary, and no student should be denied access to school services, rights, or benefits for non-payment.

“Even when approved, such payments remain strictly voluntary, and no student should be denied any school service, right or benefit for non-payment,” the statement signed by GES spokesman Daniel Fenyi said.

GES has therefore directed that no head of school or teacher, or GES staff member, should be involved in the collection of PTA levies, stressing that fundraising activities are the sole responsibility of duly elected PTA executives.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has instructed all Regional and District Directors to ensure strict compliance with the directive and to report any breaches for immediate disciplinary action.

“GES further directs that no Head, teacher, or GES staff member of any educational institution shall be involved in the collection of PTA levies. Fundraising activities remain the exclusive responsibility of duly elected PTA Executives.

Regional and District Directors are directed to monitor compliance and report any breach for immediate disciplinary action,” the Ghana Education Service (GES) statement dated October 22, 2025, stated.

Relatedly, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned headteachers of second-cycle schools to desist from charging Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) fees from the first-year Senior High School students during admission.

In a social media post sighted by Pretertiary.com, the GES, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education (MoE), said any school reported to be charging illegal fees will face disciplinary actions.

“No money must be taken from any student. Any school-reported will be taken on,” the Ghana Education Service (GES) said in the social media post on November 21, 2025.

The Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, in an interview with Kumasi-based radio station, also said the Ghana Education Service has not authorized any school to request or collect PTA fees from parents.

Speaking to Oyerepa 100.7 FM, the Ghana Education Service spokesperson said the illegal or unapproved fees charged by the schools are considered unauthorized and must be reported.

“The Ghana Education Service (GES) has not authorized any school to request or collect PTA fees from parents. Such actions are considered unauthorized and must be reported,” Daniel Fenyi stressed.

In line with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Minister for Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has cautioned headteachers across the country against denying admission to students who have been duly placed in their schools or demanding unapproved fees from parents.

Speaking at the 32nd Annual Conference of Directors of Education held in Sunyani, in the Bono Region, the Minister expressed deep concern over reports that some school heads were frustrating the enrollment of first-year students and engaging in acts of extortion.

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu described such practices as unacceptable and detrimental to the government’s vision of providing equitable access to free and quality education for all Ghanaian children.