We Appeal To Government To Intervene As Headmistress Imposes Exorbitant Fees” – Concerned Parents Of St. Francis ‘B’, Techiman
Parents of pupils at St. Francis ‘B’ Primary School in Techiman, Bono East Region, are appealing to the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to investigate what they describe as illegal and exploitative fees being imposed by the school’s headmistress, Madam Gifty Kwarteng.
The aggrieved parents allege that Madam Kwarteng has been charging unapproved admission fees ranging from GHC 250 to GHC 280 per child—often without issuing official receipts.
They claim that students are turned away from school if these payments are not made, in clear breach of the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) free basic education policy.
Furthermore, the parents allege that the headmistress has been dismissing students who perform poorly academically.
This, they say, has forced some children to abandon formal education altogether in pursuit of uncertain paths.
Despite multiple complaints lodged with the Catholic Education Directorate—under whose authority the school operates—no action has been taken, leading parents to suspect possible collusion between the directorate and the headmistress.
The parents also raised alarm over the school’s poor infrastructure, including classrooms that flood during rains and the absence of proper toilet facilities.
They are calling on the Minister for Education to step in and bring long-overdue reforms and accountability.
Although Madam Gifty Kwarteng declined to comment, Mr. Stephen Aidoo, Deputy Regional Director of Education in the Bono East Region, acknowledged receiving the complaints and assured that a committee would be set up to thoroughly investigate the matter.
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