The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a strong caution to all schools across the country against the collection of unauthorised Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or development levies.

In a statement signed by Daniel Feyi, Head of Public Relations at the GES, revealed that it had received reports indicating that some second-cycle institutions were demanding and collecting various levies under the guise of PTA dues.

The GES stressed that no school has been granted permission to collect PTA or development levies without prior approval.

According to the directive, such approvals must be sought through the appropriate educational authorities — the District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) via the District Director of Education for basic schools, and the Regional Director of Education for second-cycle institutions.

The Service further clarified that even when approval is obtained, all PTA payments remain strictly voluntary, adding that no student should be denied access to any school service, right, or benefit for non-payment.

Additionally, the GES has directed that no Head, teacher, or GES staff member should be involved in the collection of PTA levies, as fundraising activities are the sole responsibility of duly elected PTA executives.

Regional and District Directors have been tasked to monitor compliance with the directive and to report any breaches for immediate disciplinary action.

The statement reinforces GES’s commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in Ghana’s educational institutions while safeguarding parents and students from unauthorised financial demands.