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The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed reports circulating on social media 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 and trunks.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the GES described the publication as false and urged parents, guardians, students and the general public to disregard the claims.
The Service clarified that the Free SHS policy remains in effect and that the Director-General of the GES has not issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to make payments for chop boxes, trunks or any other items associated with students’ admission to senior high schools.
The GES further explained that the Director-General does not have the authority to cancel the Free SHS policy.
The clarification comes amid the circulation of information on social media platforms alleging that parents are required to pay GH¢1,500 for items described as chop boxes and trunks. The GES said such claims are false and should not be relied upon.
Parents and guardians have consequently been advised not to make any payments to individuals based on the circulating publication.
The warning is particularly important as families prepare for the senior high school admission process. The GES urged the public to rely only on information communicated through its official and authorised channels when seeking clarification about Free SHS, school placement, admission requirements and other education-related matters.
The Service also encouraged members of the public to exercise caution when encountering unverified information on social media.
Social media platforms can allow false claims to spread rapidly, particularly when they involve issues affecting students and parents. The GES therefore appealed to individuals and media organisations to refrain from creating, publishing or circulating information that has not been verified.
According to the Service, false publications could create unnecessary anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the wider public.
The latest clarification means that claims suggesting the Free SHS policy has been cancelled should not be treated as official GES information. Similarly, parents should not make payments to individuals who claim that GH¢1,500 is required for chop boxes, trunks or other items based on the alleged directive.
The GES has reiterated the importance of obtaining information from authorised sources before taking action or making payments.
Parents and guardians who receive messages or see social media posts concerning Free SHS Ghana are therefore encouraged to verify the information through official GES communication channels.
The Service’s statement is intended to set the record straight and prevent members of the public from falling victim to potentially misleading information.
For now, the GES position is clear: Free SHS remains in effect, and there is no directive from the Director-General requiring parents to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes, trunks or other items.
