The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed social media reports claiming that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has been cancelled.
The Service has also rejected claims that its Director-General has directed parents and guardians to pay GHS1,500 for chop boxes, trunks or other items required by students.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the GES described the reports as false and urged the public to disregard them.
“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 stated.
The GES further clarified that its Director-General does not have the authority to cancel the Free SHS policy, and therefore advised parents, guardians and students not to make payments to anyone based on the claims circulating online.
The Service urged the public to rely on official information communicated through its authorised channels and to exercise caution when consuming or sharing unverified content on social media.
It also appealed to members of the public and media organisations to refrain from creating or circulating false information that could cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the wider public.
The GES said it remains committed to providing accurate and timely information on matters concerning education and the implementation of the Free SHS policy.
