The headmaster of Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS), Solomon Sarpong Bagmae, has been temporarily relieved of his duties by the Ghana Education Service (GES) for allegedly soliciting funds to fend for students participating in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE ).

Per reports his termination was contained in a letter signed by Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, Irene Jacquelina Attabra.

The letter reportedly explained that his suspension is to facilitate an independent investigation. Given that, the Regional Director of Education has been instructed to take over the duties of Mr Bagmae in the interim.

This development comes at a time when the Ghana Education Service has directed school authorities to ensure that practical fees for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination received from students are refunded effective Monday, July 28.

In a press statement dated, Monday, July 28, indicated that teachers and school heads who fail to adhere to the directive shall face severe sanctions.

"The Government of Ghana has released full funding to cover the costs of the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations, including required materials and resources.

Management policies with concern that some Heads have engaged in the collection of monies from Candidates/Parents/Guardians for these same practicals. The Heads involved are therefore directed to; refund any monies collected from students in respect of WASSCE practicals,” parts of the statement read.

It instructed that school authorities ensure that the refund process is properly documented and official receipts are issued to acknowledge repayment.

GES added that regional Directors should be notified once the monies are refunded, emphazing, “Compliance with this directive will reduce the financial burden on students and parents and ensure that no learner is excluded from participation over lack of money”.

“Failure to comply will be considered a serious breach of official instructions and may attract administrative sanctions. Regional Directors are by this letter requested to share this information with all Heads of schools through their respective Municipal/Metro/District Directors of Education,” it stated.

On Saturday, July 27, the Ghana Education Service announced the release of funds to cater for the 2025 WASSCE practical examinations for all Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) across the country.

An amount of GH¢15,849,920 has been released, according to reports. In its statement issued and signed by the Head of Public Relations, Daniel Fenyi, the funds are expected to provide all necessary materials and supplies for their practical exams.

“ The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) announces that funds have been released to all Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) across the country to cover the fees for the 2025 WASSCE practicals.

“This payment ensures that all practical examinations scheduled for the 2025 WASSCE are fully supported, including the provision of the required materials and other essential resources," the Service noted.

Additionally, the Service explained that the move is intended to shield guardians as well as parents from extra cost and also create a conducive environment in ensuring that students excel in the upcoming exams.

“With the release of the funds, GES seeks to facilitate a smooth and well-cordinated examination process that enables students to focus on their academic work, while relieving parents and guardians of any such financial burden," it stated.

The GES cautioned school authorities against diverting the funds from its intended purpose, warning that any misappropriation will attract strict sanctions in accordance with existing financial regulations and disciplinary procedures.

“Regional, district and school authorities are, therefore, strongly urged to ensure the due application of the funds for their intended purpose to guarantee efficiency and accountability. Management will continue to monitor the utilisation processes to ensure compliance and to maintain high standards in the administration of the examination.

“The Ghana Education Service appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders in advancing quality education and remains dedicated to creating an enabling environment for the success of all students," part of the release read.

The 2025 WASSCE which began on August 4 is expected to end September 19.

Meanwhile, a leading public policy and consumer advocacy think tank, CUTS International, Accra, has opposed the system where Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and WASSCE candidates pay to access their results.

Per a statement released in Accra on Monday, July 7, the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS, Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, described the practice as unfair and costly.

He has therefore called on the Education Ministry to shoulder the cost of providing candidates with access to their results.

“In many parts of the world, exam bodies do not charge students to access their results. In our local universities, student can access their results free of charge, as is the case in every jurisdiction. This is a basic right that should not come at a cost to students or their families,” Mr. Adomako said.

Initially, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) printed and distributed physical results slips to schools; however, it adapted to the digital platform to make the process seamless.

Candidates now pay between GHS 15 and GHS 25 to view their results.But according to the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS, the Ministry must learn from other African countries that do not charge for results.

“Going digital was supposed to make things easier and more affordable. But instead, candidates are now forced to pay out of pocket for a service that should be free. In countries like South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, and Zambia, students access their results online without paying any fee. Why should Ghana be different?.

“WAEC is not the only body that runs examinations. Students who sit for ACCA, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, IELTS, and even our own national service postings access their results or placements online for free. The same should apply here,” Mr. Adomako stressed.

Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako also criticised the requirement for students to pay to access their Senior High School placement results through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), describing it as an added financial burden.

According to him, “Accessing exam results or computerised placement into SHS should not be a luxury or a source of revenue. It should be a basic service as it pertains in other jurisdictions.

While the GES continues its efforts to alleviate financial pressures on students and parents nationwide, other challenges, particularly in conflict-prone areas, pose serious threats to access to education and student safety.

Currently, Nkwanta and its surrounding towns are experiencing a protracted conflict involving the Akyode, Adele, and Chala communities.The conflict has escalated in recent years, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of property.

A curfew was placed on the area by the government.The violent incidents that were recorded on June 26 and 27 affected three students.Two female students of Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS) were recently hit by gunshots while en route to school.

A male student was also killed by a stray bullet while seated in his classroom during mock examinations.SHS schools in Nkwanta South have been shut down until further notice. In response, the police service has captured some eight individuals for their roles in recent clashes in Nkwanta that have taken the lives of students.

Currently, there is a total ban on all persons in the Nkwanta Township and its environs in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons.

Any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.The government continues to urge chiefs, opinion leaders, youth, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area.

But the GES has insisted that final-year Senior High School students in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region will participate in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) despite chaos in the area.

Speaking to the media on Monday, June 30, the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, indicated that the Service is in discussions with stakeholders to ensure candidates are not affected regardless of the risk.

"Three Senior High Schools (SHS) will be writing the WASSCE, but definitely, if the conflict persists, that means they wouldn't be able to write in Nkwanta township. So meetings are ongoing, and we hope to finalize our discussions as soon as possible to come out with the modalities on when, how, and where our children can write the WASSCE."

According to him, one of the measures is to ensure students write the exams in the safest environment possible."But the assurance they can get from us is that they won't miss the WASSCE. We are putting in place every measure to ensure they write the WASSCE with their colleagues."

“The assurance they can get from us, as the Ghana Education Service is that they won’t miss the WASSCE. We are putting in place every measure to ensure that they write the WASSCE with their colleagues all across the country, and we are making sure that the conflict goes beyond them so they can’t be punished for what they didn’t cause. So I can assure them that they will not miss this examination,” he said.