Free SHS was introduced by former NPP government
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed reports circulating on social media that the Director-General has cancelled the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
According to a statement by GES and dated Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the reports also claimed that parents and guardians had been directed to pay a compulsory GH₵1,500 for chop boxes, trunks and other items.
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In response to the widely circulated claims, the GES described the reports as false and urged the public to disregard them.
“Management wishes to state categorically that the publication is FALSE and should be disregarded,” the statement said.
GES said neither the Free SHS policy nor any directive requiring parents or guardians to make such payments has been issued.
“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,” it stated.
The Service also clarified that the Director-General does not have the power to cancel the Free SHS policy.
“The Director-General of GES does not have the power to cancel a policy,” the statement clarified.
They have therefore urged parents, guardians, students and the general public not to make payments to anyone based on the claims circulating on social media.
“Parents, guardians, students and the general public are therefore urged not to make any payments to anyone,” it said.
The Service further advised the public to rely on official information from its authorised channels and to be cautious about unverified social media publications.
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The GES also appealed to the media and the public to stop creating and circulating false information that could cause anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the general public.
Read the statement below:
MAG/VPO
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