The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned heads of schools across the country against the unauthorised collection of levies under the guise of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues.In a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations, Daniel Fenyi, GES said it had received reports that some second-cycle institutions were demanding and collecting various levies without proper approval.
According to the statement, no school has been authorised to collect any PTA or development levy without prior approval from the appropriate authorities. Approval for basic schools, the release explained, must come from the District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) through the District Director of Education, while in second-cycle institutions, such approval must be granted by the Regional Director of Education.
The GES further emphasised that even when approval is granted, such payments remain strictly voluntary, and no student should be denied any service, right, or benefit for failing to make payment.
The Service also directed that no headteacher, teacher, or GES staff member should be involved in the collection of PTA levies, noting that fundraising activities are solely the responsibility of duly elected PTA executives.
Regional and District Directors have been instructed to monitor compliance closely and take immediate disciplinary action against any breaches. The directive forms part of GES’s efforts to ensure transparency and prevent the exploitation of students and parents through unapproved charges in schools.
