The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken decisive action against two additional headteachers, Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen of Berekum Senior High School and Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu of Odomaseman Senior High School, by directing them to step aside. The interdiction follows allegations of unauthorized sales to Form One students.
In separate letters, the GES accused Mr. Afi of charging unauthorized fees, including “Borla fees,” “motivation fees,” and “lunch bag” charges. Similarly, Mr. Jilinjeh Abudu faced accusations of charging GHC45 for hymn books, SRC fees, brown khaki, and other items, all deemed unauthorized.
This recent development brings the total number of interdicted headteachers to four, as Patience Naki Mensah, Headmistress of Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, and Nadia Lartechoe Annan, Headmistress of O’Reilly Senior High School, had previously faced similar actions.
The interdictions highlight a broader issue of headteachers allegedly flouting the government’s policy prohibiting the sale of items to students within and outside school premises. Angel Carbonu, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), issued a stern warning to headteachers nationwide during an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM.
Carbonu emphasized, “Let me caution my colleagues and my senior colleagues if GES under the control of the Ministry of Education is giving out a policy indicating that no school should sell any item to students either within the school premises or outside the school premises, no officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) should make him or herself a salesman or a saleswoman to sell any item to parents or students.”
While acknowledging the potential validity behind selling certain items in the interest of students, Carbonu stressed the importance of adhering to GES directives, citing the associated risks. He urged headteachers to abide by the rules, allowing the consequences to influence any necessary amendments to policies
