An alleged student extortion scheme has triggered public outrage in the Bosome Freho District, with teachers and community members accusing education authorities of unlawfully collecting exam-related fees from basic school pupils.
At the centre of the controversy is the District Education Directorate, where the District Director of Education, Mr Michael Bruce Ennin, and some Circuit Supervisors are alleged to be behind the collection of printing fees of up to GH¢4.00 per pupil for first-term examinations.
Teachers who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity say the practice departs from established procedures. According to them, the directorate has traditionally collected third-term printing fees because it is responsible for setting common examination questions during that period. However, first-term examination questions are set internally by individual schools, making the new charges questionable.
“Why are fees being taken for first-term exams when the directorate is not involved in setting those questions?” one teacher asked. “There has been no explanation, yet the money is being demanded.”
Several sources allege that head teachers are being pressured to comply with the directive, with implied threats of administrative sanctions against those who resist. The situation, teachers say, has left school heads with little choice but to pass the cost on to pupils and parents.
Community members describe the development as exploitative, warning that the additional charges place unnecessary financial strain on families and risk undermining access to education for vulnerable children.
Further deepening concerns are allegations that the district has, over the years, been associated with questionable practices during final examinations, including the charging of excessive fees purportedly linked to exam facilitation. While these claims have not been independently verified, critics argue that they point to a broader problem of weak oversight within the district’s education administration.
Attempts to reach the Bosome Freho District Education Directorate for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication. This publication remains open to publishing any response or clarification from the Directorate or the individuals named.
Residents and education stakeholders are calling on the Ghana Education Service and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations thoroughly and take appropriate action to protect students and restore confidence in the district’s education system.