The Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Minister of Education to immediately address what it describes as “exorbitant” and “unjustifiable” levies being charged by some schools in the Upper East Region.
In a statement issued recently, WOM said it had received reports of schools demanding Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) fees of up to GH¢400 and additional payments of about GH¢900 for furniture from parents. The organization described these fees as excessive and unaffordable, particularly for guardians and parents of orphans who already face economic hardship.
“These demands are excessive and unaffordable, particularly for the guardians and surviving parents of complete and incomplete orphans who are already struggling to provide for these children,” the statement said. “Such charges not only place an unfair financial burden on vulnerable families but also threaten to deny many children their right to education.”
WOM warned that the situation undermines the government’s efforts toward achieving free and equitable access to education for all children. It said many families in the region cannot afford such fees, leading to the exclusion of children from school or forcing them to learn under distressing conditions.
The organization urged the GES and the Ministry of Education to “immediately investigate and halt these practices” or provide credible alternatives to ensure that no child is denied access to education due to financial barriers.
WOM also appealed to education authorities to enhance communication with schools beyond social media updates, stressing that clear directives are needed to prevent arbitrary fee impositions.
“The Widows and Orphans Movement stands ready to collaborate with education authorities to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children in the region and across Ghana are not left behind in accessing quality education,” the statement concluded.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga
