TVET Service interdicts 3 SHS heads for charging unapproved fees
The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service has interdicted the Heads of Agona Swedru Technical Institute in the Central Region, Sunyani Technical Institute in the Bono Region, and Madina Technical Institute in the Greater Accra Region.
In a statement sighted by Pretertiary.com, the Ghana TVET Service said the headteachers were interdicted over allegations of charging unauthorised fees and extortion at their respective schools.
It indicated they were charging unapproved fees, including admission fees, boarding protocol payments, charges for changing residential status from day to boarding, fashion practical item fees, bed-sheet payments, and PTA-related levies.
The Service described these practices as violations of the government’s Free Technical and Vocational Education and Training Policy, which guarantees free access to technical and vocational education.
It stressed that such acts contradict its commitment to transparency and equity in the admission process, adding that it has established investigative committees to conduct a comprehensive and impartial probe into the allegations.
According to the Ghana TVET Service, the findings of the committee’s investigations will be made public in due course, and their recommendations will inform the final disciplinary actions to be taken.
Meanwhile, the Headteachers of the three Technical institutions have been directed to proceed on 30 days of administrative leave with immediate effect.
Their responsibilities have been handed over to the respective Regional Directors to ensure continuity in school administration.
The Regional Directors who have been handed additional responsibilities include: Madam Hannah Asamoah, Central Regional Director – Agona Swedru Technical Institute; Mr Gabriel Gyamfi, Bono Regional Director – Sunyani Technical Institute; and Engr. Juliana Nkrumah, Greater Accra Regional Director – Madina Technical Institute.
The Ghana TVET Service reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct, stating that it remains steadfast in safeguarding accountability, fairness, and professionalism across all Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions.
“Management remains resolute in upholding accountability, transparency, and fairness in the management of Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions across Ghana.
We further assure parents, students, and the general public of its unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of the admission process and protecting the interests of learners nationwide,” it said in the statement.
The suspension of the three Technical headteachers comes after Minister for Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, cautioned headteachers across the country against 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.
He emphasised that every student placed through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) must be admitted without discrimination or additional financial demands beyond the officially approved fees.
In other news, the Ghana Education Service (GES), following the restoration of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in pre-tertiary schools, has cautioned the Associations not to collect any PTA fees, dues, or levies from parents of students.
”Now we don’t expect that any PTA dues, any form of money, or any form of fee will be a hindrance to the learning and school activities of the students. Yes, PTA has been restored, but PTA dues have not necessarily been restored,” GES has cautioned.
A spokesperson for the Service, Daniel Fenyi, who gave the caution, said the Ghana Education Service is currently working on clear modalities to ensure that PTA operations remain in line with national rules and regulations.
“We want every learner to be in the classroom and learn without the hindrance of money, but the details of how the PTA should operate and approvals they will need before operating will soon be rolled out because we are still in contact with all the important stakeholders to ensure that we bring out modalities that are workable among all the parties,” he noted.
