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.
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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.
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.
Written by Ghana Education News Editorial Staff
The Ghana Education News Editorial Staff is comprised of seasoned education consultants, policy analysts, and verified journalists dedicated to providing accurate, timely, and credible updates on the Ghanaian GES curriculum, WAEC updates, and academic leadership.
The Ghana Education News Editorial Team is a specialized group of education researchers, journalists, and policy analysts dedicated to providing high-fidelity reports on the Ghanaian academic landscape. With over a decade of combined experience, our team serves as a primary bridge between official bodies like the GES and WAEC and the students, parents, and educators they serve.
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