GES Denies Claims Free SHS Has Been Cancelled and Parents Must Pay GH¢1,500
The Ghana Education Service has dismissed claims that the Free Senior High School policy has been cancelled. GES has also denied reports that parents and guardians have been directed to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks or other items.
In a statement dated 18 August 2026, GES said the publication circulating on social media is false. The Service has therefore urged parents, students and the general public to disregard the claim.
What the Viral Claim Said
According to GES, a publication circulating on social media alleged that the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service had cancelled the Free SHS policy.
The same publication also claimed that parents and guardians had been directed to pay a compulsory GH¢1,500 for chop boxes and trunks. However, GES says no such directive has been issued.
GES Says Free SHS Has Not Been Cancelled
GES stated clearly that the Free SHS policy remains in place. The Service said neither its management nor the Director-General has cancelled the policy.
The statement also stressed that the Director-General of GES does not have the authority to cancel a government policy. Therefore, claims suggesting that the Director-General personally cancelled Free SHS are misleading.
No GH¢1,500 Payment Has Been Approved
GES has also denied directing parents or guardians to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks or any other item.
According to the Service, no such payment has been authorised. Parents and guardians have therefore been advised not to pay money to anyone based on the viral publication.
This clarification is important because the false information could cause confusion among parents preparing their children for Senior High School.
Parents and Students Asked to Rely on Official Information
GES has advised the public to rely only on information released through its authorised communication channels.
The Service also urged parents, students and media organisations to treat unverified social media publications with caution. This is particularly important when such information involves school fees, government policies or other sensitive education matters.
GES Warns Against Spreading False Information
GES further cautioned members of the public and media organisations against creating, publishing or circulating false information.
According to the Service, such publications can create unnecessary anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the general public.
The warning comes as education-related announcements continue to spread quickly across social media platforms. As a result, the public is encouraged to verify information before sharing it.
What Parents Should Know
Parents and guardians should note that GES has not announced the cancellation of Free SHS. They have also not been asked to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks or any similar item.
Therefore, anyone who encounters such a demand should verify it through official channels before making any payment.
Final Note
The Ghana Education Service has described the viral claim about the cancellation of Free SHS and the compulsory GH¢1,500 payment as false.
Parents, guardians and students should disregard the publication and rely only on verified information from GES and other authorised government sources.
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