Eduwatch Strongly Opposes Imposing Charges on Public School Pupils for Examination Materials

Eduwatch Opposes Charging Pupils for Exam Materials in Public Schools

Africa Education Watch has voiced strong concerns over the increasing practice in public basic schools where parents are asked to pay for the printing of end-of-term examination papers for their wards. 

The organization believes this trend undermines the principle of free basic education and places an unnecessary financial burden on families.

In a statement released on April 5, the organization urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to put a stop to the practice, stating that it contradicts the promise of free basic education in Ghana.

Eduwatch expressed concern that such financial demands unfairly pressure parents, particularly those already struggling economically. The group warned that these fees could result in some children being sidelined during assessments if their parents are unable to pay.

Referencing Ghana’s Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), Eduwatch reminded education authorities that the law guarantees free, compulsory, and universal basic education, and no child should be excluded from participation because their family cannot afford additional costs.

While acknowledging the delays in government disbursement of funds to public schools, Eduwatch insisted that schools must not shift the burden to parents. Instead, they called on the Ministry of Education to ensure timely financial support, especially during the examination period.

The organization further urged the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service to ensure that no child is denied access to exams simply because their parents did not pay a fee.

“Schools must be adequately funded ahead of exams so parents are not forced to carry financial responsibilities the state is meant to bear,” the statement emphasized.