Eduwatch Condemns Exam Fees in Public Basic Schools, Calls for Immediate Government Action

Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has strongly condemned the demand for examination fees from parents of pupils in public basic schools, warning that such practices could exclude children from assessments due to financial hardship.

With end-of-term exams scheduled to begin on Monday, April 7, 2025, Eduwatch issued a statement on April 5 revealing that some school heads are demanding fees for examinations and printing—with threats to bar pupils whose parents do not comply.

Violation of Free Basic Education Policy

Eduwatch acknowledged the value of voluntary parental contributions but stressed that such payments must comply with Ghana’s free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (fCUBE) policy.

Referencing the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), the organisation emphasized that basic education is meant to be free, compulsory, and universal, and no child should be excluded from participation due to their economic background.

“We cannot allow systemic funding gaps to be passed on to already struggling families. This undermines the core of equitable education,” Eduwatch stated.

Call for Timely Government Funding

Eduwatch urged the Ministry of Education to ensure timely and sufficient funding for school-based assessments to prevent the recurring reliance on unofficial fees. The group warned that this approach contradicts government policy and harms children’s educational access.

They also called on the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take firm action to ensure no pupil is denied access to exams due to unpaid fees.

Disciplinary Measures and Accountability

The statement demanded disciplinary action against school heads who exclude pupils from exams over fees, asserting that such actions are not only unlawful but discriminatory.

A Call to Protect Children’s Right to Education

Eduwatch reaffirmed that the right to basic education is fundamental and unconditional, urging the government to prioritise direct and adequate funding to uphold this right.

“Education should never be a privilege reserved for the economically fortunate. The government must act now to protect the rights of all Ghanaian children,” the statement concluded.

The advocacy group’s remarks have added to growing calls for accountability and reform within Ghana’s basic education system, especially as vulnerable children face potential exclusion over systemic shortfalls.