Accra, Oct 10, GNA - Heads of public and private schools were on Saturday advised to adhere strictly to the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ghana Education Service (GES) policy guidelines on approved fees and levies for schools, a statement from the Ministry of Education said in Accra. The statement signed by Mr. Paul Kofi Krampa, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, said it has come to the notice of the MOE and GES that some heads of schools continue to charge unapproved fees and impose unauthorised levies and that: "We find it unacceptable."

It said for the avoidance of doubt, the following were to be noted, in Public basic Schools(Kindergarten through Primary to Junior High School),no fees whatsoever, are to be charged noting that the institution of capitation grant to schools further emphasizes this point. "Private basic schools are to charge fees according to what has been approved for them under the GES Grading of Basic schools; the GES guideline for this is in place."

According to the statement, the public should be aware of the fact that public senior high schools can charge only levies or dues that have been approved by the Director-General of the GES "Approval follows transparent process which starts from the school level through the district to the regional level." The statement noted that Private Second Cycle institutions determine their own fees but are expected to do so in moderation and not put a lot of pressure on parents.

According to the statement the MOE/GES reminds the public and proprietors of schools in the country that the pre-tertiary education enterprise falls under its jurisdiction.

"For this reason, Private Schools are expected to conform to MOE/GES policies and guidelines on the setting-up and running of private schools or suffer the withdrawal of recognition and permission to operate." The MOE and GES called on parents and the general public to assist by monitoring fees charged in the schools their ward are enrolled and also scrutinize levies imposed under the various guises.