GES Orders Full Refund of 2025 WASSCE Practical Fees To Parents And What Parents & Schools Must Know.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern directive to all head teachers of public senior high schools: immediately refund all monies collected from students and parents for the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations.

This decisive action comes after the Government of Ghana successfully released funds to cover the full cost of these practicals—a historic first for the nation’s public education system.

In a press release dated July 28, 2025, the GES clarified the government’s position and outlined the non-negotiable steps schools must now take. The statement highlights a critical issue: “Some Heads have engaged in collecting monies from candidates/parents/guardians for these practicals,” despite the new government funding.

This directive aims to correct that immediately.

[Image Suggestion: An official-looking graphic with the GES logo and the text “WASSCE 2025 Practical Fees: OFFICIAL REFUND NOTICE”. Alt-text: Ghana Education Service logo with a notice about the mandatory refund of 2025 WASSCE practical fees.]

The Official GES Directive: A Landmark Decision for Parents

The communication from the GES leaves no room for ambiguity. It confirms that “The Government of Ghana has released full funding to cover the costs of the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations.”

Consequently, any fees collected by schools for this purpose are now unauthorized. The core of the directive is a clear command to school leadership: “Refund any monies collected from students or parents in respect of WASSCE practicals.”

This move underscores the government’s commitment to reducing the financial burden on families, ensuring that no student’s participation in essential examinations is hindered by a lack of funds.

Step-by-Step: The Mandatory Refund Process for Schools

To ensure full transparency and accountability, the GES has outlined a specific procedure that all head teachers must follow. This is not a suggestion but a requirement.

Cease Collections Immediately: All requests for WASSCE practical fees from students and parents must stop.
Issue Full Refunds: Every cedi collected for this purpose must be returned to the student or parent who paid it.
Document Everything: Heads are instructed to “Ensure that the refund process is properly documented.” This means keeping meticulous records of who was paid back, the amount, and the date.
Provide Official Receipts: To confirm repayment, schools must issue “official receipts to acknowledge repayment.” This creates a paper trail and protects both the school and the parent.
Report to Regional Directors: Upon completion of the refunds, heads must “Notify their Regional Director.” This ensures oversight at the regional level.

Navigating the Challenges: The Unintended Consequences of the Refund

While this directive is overwhelmingly positive for parents, it introduces complex challenges for some students and school administrators.

1. The Dilemma for Students Who Inflated Fees

It is a known, if unspoken, practice for some students to inflate school fees when requesting money from their parents. A student who told their parents the practical fee was GH₵300, when the school only charged GH₵200, will now be in a difficult position. With the school refunding the official GH₵200, these students will have to explain to their parents what happened to the extra GH₵100.

2. The Financial Squeeze for School Heads

The directive also puts pressure on any school administration that may have charged amounts higher than the official fees stipulated by WAEC. Heads who have already spent this extra money—whether for legitimate school needs or as an added profit margin—will now have to find funds from other sources to cover the full refund. The government’s payment will only match the official WAEC fee, leaving any overcharged amount as a deficit the school must now repay.

A Stern Warning: Sanctions for Non-Compliance

The Ghana Education Service has made it clear that adherence to this directive is mandatory. The letter explicitly states that Regional Directors must ensure full compliance within their jurisdictions.

Any school or head teacher who fails to follow these instructions will face administrative sanctions. This warning signals the seriousness of the directive and the GES’s commitment to enforcing this new policy for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

READ: Government Pays 2025 WASSCE Practical Fees for All SHS Candidates

A New Era of Accountability in Education Funding

The government’s decision to absorb the 2025 WASSCE practical fees is a monumental step towards making secondary education more accessible. The subsequent GES directive to refund collected monies is a powerful follow-through, ensuring this benefit directly reaches the pockets of parents.

While it may create temporary discomfort and difficult conversations, the long-term impact is one of increased transparency and accountability. It reinforces the principle that education funding must be clear, direct, and free from unauthorized additions. For now, parents and students should be vigilant in ensuring their school complies and their refund is processed correctly and promptly.