The Ghana Education Service (GES) has moved to stop a false Free SHS payment claim circulating on social media, which alleges that parents have been instructed to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes and trunks.
The claim also suggests that the Director-General of GES has cancelled the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. The Service has rejected both claims, describing the publication as false.
GES said no instruction has been issued requiring parents or guardians to make payments for chop boxes, trunks or any other item under the Free SHS programme.
“Management wishes to state categorically that the publication is FALSE and should be disregarded.”
The clarification is aimed at preventing parents and students from being misled by the social media post, particularly those preparing for Senior High School enrolment and related arrangements.
Free SHS policy remains in place
According to GES, there has been no cancellation of the Free SHS policy and the Director-General has not directed parents to pay GH¢1,500 for items mentioned in the circulating publication.
“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.”
The Service also sought to correct the impression that the Director-General has the authority to independently terminate the government’s Free SHS policy.
“The Director-General of GES does not have the power to cancel a policy.”
GES is therefore urging parents, guardians and students to exercise caution when they encounter information about Free SHS on social media, particularly claims involving payments.
GES warns against unauthorised payments
The Service has issued a direct warning to the public not to hand money to anyone who claims to be collecting the alleged GH¢1,500 payment on behalf of GES.
“Parents, guardians, students and the general public are therefore urged not to make any payments to anyone.”
GES said official information on the Free SHS programme and other education-related matters should be obtained only through its authorised communication channels.
“The GES advises the public to rely only on official communications issued through the Service’s authorised channels and to treat unverified publications on social media with caution.”
The warning is particularly significant as false information can spread rapidly across social media platforms, potentially leaving parents confused or exposing them to financial scams.
GES has consequently appealed to media organisations and members of the public to verify claims before publishing or sharing them.
“The Service further urges members of the public and media organisations to desist from creating, publishing or circulating false information capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the general public.”
The Service’s latest clarification means there is currently no GH¢1,500 payment directive from GES for chop boxes or trunks.
Parents and students have therefore been advised to disregard the circulating publication and follow official GES channels for verified information concerning Free SHS, school placement and related requirements.
Read the statement below:
