Private schools to boycott BECE over WAEC’s high exam fees: Prof. Damasus Tuurosong 

The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has stated that it will not hesitate to lead all private schools in Ghana to boycott the 2025 BECE should WAEC arbitrarily increase the fees, as it has been doing in the last five years.

Speaking at the GNAP manifesto launch, Prof. Damasus Tuurosong did indicate that the examination fees charged to individual students registered by private schools for the BECE have increased so much each year, which is worrying.

“Over the past four years alone, BECE fees have increased from GH¢77 in 2020 to GH¢214.01 in 2024, representing a 178% hike in fees.” However, over the same period, private schools have, on average, increased their fees by only 45%.” Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) presented its “manifesto” to political parties seeking their votes in the coming election.

He therefore served notice to WAEC indicating that private schools will boycott next year’s BECE if
Private schools arbitrarily face fee increases.

“We urge WAEC to always negotiate with GNAPS before any fee increases. Let me serve notice that GNAPS will lead all pre-tertiary private schools to boycott next year’s BECE.
arbitrarily increase the fees.” Prof. Damasus Tuurosong stated:.

(GNAPS) further stated that the high exam fees are causing several students from low-income families to drop out of school.

“The unreasonably high exam fees are forcing many private school candidates to drop out of school in either JHS 3 or SHS 3.”This year, WASSCE candidates in private SHSs had to pay GH¢465 as WAEC registration fee. Those who have practical and oral language papers to write were required to pay an extra GH¢14.50 and GH¢19.50, respectively.” This was stated during the interaction.

The association added that apart from the examination fees charged by WAEC, the Ghana Education Service (GES) Exams Officers in the various exam unit offices in the various districts also charge unapproved fees of between GH¢30 and GH¢100 per candidate. All of these, according to the association, make the exam expensive for private schools and candidates.

“GES officers who register candidates for private schools also charge registration fees of between GH¢30 and GH¢100 per candidate.” So before being registered, some private school candidates have to cough up in excess of GH¢300.00 to enable them to write their first-ever external exit exams.”

What the above means is that each time these huge fees are slapped on parents by WAEC and GES officials, a learner in a deprived private school is forced and scared away into the farm instead.

Evidently, a child in a deprived private school who is used to paying school fees ranging from GH¢50 to GH¢100 per term may be scared away from school to the farm or to tend cattle if he/she is asked to pay more than GH¢200 to sit for a single examination.

READ: Top 5 Demands of Ghana’s Private Schools for Political Parties Manifestos

At the event, the GNAP also outlined what it called a list of dowry items from private schools to any political party willing to marry private schools in the upcoming elections, adding that they will rally support behind such political parties.