Education

GES Warns Head Teachers Against Charging Illegal Fees for WAEC Certificate Collection

Wisdom K.E Hammond July 1, 2025

A video of a head teacher forcing graduates of the school to pay for their WAEC-administered certificate has hit the internet.

Reacting to this unfortunate illegal extortion, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has sent a strong warning to head teachers against charging illegal fees for WAEC certificate collection.

In the video, the unnamed head teacher is heard insisting that students must pay the amount of GHS200.00 or forfeit their certificates, even going as far as daring them to report him to the court. However, while at it, one of the students took a video of the incident and put it up.

The charging of illegal fees for WAEC certificate collection has been happening in silence in many schools, especially in private pre-tertiary institutions.

Addressing the issue in an interview on Otec FM’s morning show “Nyansapo”, hosted by Kwaku Owusu Boateng on Monday, the Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer for the GES, Henry Osei Boateng, clarified that the cost of WAEC certificates is already covered during WASSCE registration.

“The issuance of WAEC certificates is completely free. The only circumstance under which a student may be asked to pay any amount is if the student owes the school,” Mr. Osei Boateng explained.

READ: Missing WASSCE or BECE Certificate: How to get it back from WAEC

He emphasized that any head teacher caught collecting money for WAEC certificates will face the full disciplinary process of the GES.

“Such a head will be called before the Disciplinary Committee, and if found guilty, appropriate sanctions will be applied,” he stated.

READ: GTEG urged to crack down and prosecute fake degree holders

What To Do When Head Teachers Are Charging Illegal Fees for WAEC Certificate Collection

Students and parents have been urged to report any such illegal fees to the appropriate authorities for immediate action.
There is the need for public education on the rights of students when it comes to collecting their BECE or WASSCE certificates.
Teachers and head teachers of both public and private schools must desist from collecting such illegal fees.