The Ghana Education Service is set to conduct a nationwide audit on the implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (F-CUBE) programme.
Article 38 of the 1992 Constitution specifies that basic education should be free under F-CUBE.
“The Government shall, within two years after Parliament first meets after coming into force of this Constitution, draw up a programme for implementation within the following ten years, for the provision of free compulsory and universal basic education.”
The move by the GES to conduct the audit comes on the back of complaints made by a parent of a pupil at the Kwabenya Basic School.
According to the parent, her ward was prevented from writing the School’s end-of-term examinations due to unpaid fees.
Speaking on 3FM’s morning show, Sunrise, Chairman of the Ghana Education Service Council Michael Nsowah said the Education Ministry is putting measures in place to ensure directors and head teachers do no exploit parents by taking money from them.
“We will organize regional tour meeting [for] all head teachers and all schools that we have information to have collected illegal fees will be sanctioned.”
He said reports from some parents accusing head teachers of taking fees from them is an indication that district education directors are not monitoring activities in these schools as expected.
The GES has decentralized its administration, and expect District Directors of Education who represent them in various districts to be able to monitor schools.
Mr. Nsowah further said the Ghana Education Service is activating accounts for all schools, in order for them to receive money directly from the Ministry instead of sending it via the district directors.
He also cautioned parents whose wards are in basic schools to refrain from paying any money or fees to head teachers.
By Irene Amesimeku|3news.com|Ghana