The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has cautioned heads of second cycle institutions against demanding unapproved fees or denying admission to students duly placed in their schools. He warned that any headteacher found engaging in such acts will face strict sanctions.
Mr. Iddrisu raised the concern following reports that some school heads were frustrating the enrollment of first-year students by extorting money from parents and guardians. He issued the warning at the 32nd Annual Conference of Directors of Education in Sunyani, in the Bono Region.
Unacceptable conduct
Describing the practice as unacceptable, the minister said it undermines government’s goal of ensuring equitable access to free and quality education for all Ghanaian children.
He stressed that every student officially placed through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) must be admitted without discrimination or any financial demand beyond the approved fees.
Ensuring discipline and fairness
Mr. Iddrisu reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to upholding discipline, transparency, and fairness within the education sector. He noted that any head of school found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with administrative and legal procedures.
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He also tasked Directors of Education to intensify monitoring and ensure compliance with the ministry’s directives to guarantee a smooth enrollment process for all first-year students nationwide.
Enrollment update
First-year Senior High School (SHS) students began reporting to school last weekend for the 2025/2026 academic year following their placement under the CSSPS.
As of September 17, 2025, a total of 483,800 candidates had been placed into SHSs and technical institutions. By the end of the month, 52,492 candidates had completed self-placement, bringing the total number of placed students to 536,292.
Out of the 603,328 candidates who sat for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), 590,309 qualified for placement into second cycle institutions.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem