The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed reports claiming that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has been cancelled and that parents have been directed to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks and other items.

In a circular issued on Tuesday, August 18, the Service described the publication circulating on social media as false.

The clarification comes as parents and guardians prepare to send their wards to senior high schools.

GES said the Director-General has neither cancelled the Free SHS policy nor directed parents or guardians to make any payment for chop boxes, trunks or other items.

The Service also stressed that the Director-General does not have the authority to cancel a national policy.

“Management wishes to state categorically that the publication is FALSE and should be disregarded. Management has not cancelled the Free SHS policy, nor has the Director-General issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to pay any money for chop boxes, trunks or any other item."

GES has consequently urged parents, guardians and students not to make payments to anyone based on the information circulating online.

It advised the public to rely on information issued through its authorised channels and to treat unverified social media publications with caution.

“Parents, guardians, students and the general public are therefore urged not to make any payments to anyone. The GES advises the public to rely only on official communications issued through the Service’s authorised channels and to treat unverified publications on social media with caution.”