Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has provided clarity on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration fees, confirming that final-year students under the Free Senior High School (SHS) program are exempt from payment.
Addressing concerns at a press conference in Accra, Dr. Nkansah emphasized that the GH¢465 registration fee had been absorbed by the government for students enrolled in government secondary schools under the Free SHS policy. He dispelled rumours suggesting that all final-year SHS students were required to pay the registration fees.
“We want to assure parents that students in government secondary schools under the Free SHS program are not required to pay any registration fees,” stated Dr. Nkansah, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education.
Regarding the registration process, Dr. Nkansah urged headmasters of SHSs to refrain from pressuring SHS Three students who are currently on vacation to return to school for registration. He assured students that ample time would be provided to complete the registration process, with the deadline extended to April 19, 2024. Students are expected to return to school on April 17, and arrangements are being made in collaboration with WAEC to accommodate their registration needs.
Expressing gratitude to the teacher unions for calling off their strike, Dr. Nkansah commended their decision, acknowledging its positive impact on ongoing negotiations. The suspension of the strike, according to Dr. Nkansah, creates an enabling environment for further dialogue to address the concerns raised by the unions.
The GES Director-General’s clarifications and proactive measures aim to streamline the WASSCE registration process and alleviate any undue burden on students and parents, ensuring a smooth transition for final-year students as they prepare for their examinations.
