Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has condemned the imposition of examination fees on parents of public basic school students, citing concerns that it may lead to exclusion from assessments due to financial difficulties. With term-end exams scheduled to begin, Eduwatch has expressed disappointment that some school administrators are demanding fees for exams and printing, threatening to bar students whose parents fail to comply.
While acknowledging the value of voluntary parental contributions towards school development, Eduwatch insists that such contributions should align with policies governing free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (fCUBE).
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Citing the Pre-Tertiary Education Act of 2020 (Act 1049), Eduwatch emphasizes that basic education in Ghana is free, compulsory, and universal, with explicit provisions ensuring no child is excluded due to economic challenges.
The organization reiterates its commitment to equity and denounces any practices that limit children’s full participation in education, particularly due to socio-economic factors.
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Eduwatch calls on the Ministry of Education to ensure timely funding for school-based assessments and criticizes the recurring reliance on fees to address systemic funding gaps. This approach undermines effective implementation of government policies.
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Additionally, Eduwatch urges the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to guarantee that no pupil is denied access to end-of-term examinations due to unpaid fees. The statement further calls for disciplinary measures against school heads who exclude students based on financial constraints.
Eduwatch concludes by emphasizing that the right to basic education is fundamental and unconditional, calling on the government to prioritize direct funding to uphold this principle.
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Signed by the organization’s representatives, the statement underscores the urgency of addressing the issue to safeguard equitable access to education for all Ghanaian children.
Attached document below:
