Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has strongly criticized the practice of charging examination fees to parents of students in public basic schools, expressing concerns that financial difficulties could prevent some learners from participating in term-end assessments.
With term-end examinations scheduled to begin on Monday, April 7, 2025, Eduwatch issued a statement on April 5, revealing that some school heads are demanding fees for examinations and printing. They warned that pupils could be barred from participating if their parents fail to comply.
While acknowledging the importance of voluntary parental contributions to school development, Eduwatch stressed that such contributions must align with the policies outlined in the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (fCUBE) program.
Citing the Pre-Tertiary Education Act of 2020 (Act 1049), the organization emphasized that basic education in Ghana is free, compulsory, and universal, with clear provisions ensuring no child is excluded due to financial challenges.
Eduwatch reaffirmed its commitment to promoting educational equity and condemned any practices that hinder children’s full participation in education, particularly due to socio-economic factors.
The organization called on the Ministry of Education to ensure timely funding for school-based assessments and criticized the reliance on fees to address systemic funding gaps. Eduwatch highlighted that this practice undermines the effective implementation of government policies.
Furthermore, Eduwatch urged the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to ensure that no student is denied access to end-of-term examinations due to unpaid fees and called for disciplinary action against school heads who exclude students because of financial constraints.
The statement concluded with a reminder that the right to basic education is fundamental and unconditional, urging the government to prioritize direct funding to support this principle.
Signed by representatives of Eduwatch, the statement underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure equitable access to education for all children in Ghana.
