In Ghana, the concept of "extra classes" has taken on a new meaning, far removed from its original intention of providing voluntary academic support to students. Instead, it has become a euphemism for extortion, with schools imposing compulsory levies on parents under threat of punishment, exclusion, and academic sabotage. This practice is widespread, affecting pupils in public basic schools and Senior High Schools across the country.
The mechanism of extortion is simple yet ruthless. Teachers deliberately underperform during normal contact hours, rushing through the syllabus or withholding key explanations. The real teaching is then reserved for the paid extra class, leaving students who cannot afford to pay at a significant disadvantage. In some schools, non-payers are made to sit outside, given menial punishments, denied mock examinations, or publicly shamed, creating a culture of fear that compels parents to pay.
The fees, often labelled as "intervention fees," "remedial levies," or "teacher motivation," are illegal under the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) and Free SHS policies. Despite this, they persist because defiance carries no consequence. The Ghana Education Service issues directives every term cautioning against illegal fees, but they are ignored because the chain of benefit protects the perpetrators.
The financial burden on parents is significant, with termly demands of GH¢100 to GH¢300 per child. For low-income households, which already spend up to 40% of their earnings on a single child's education, this is a crushing burden. Families with multiple children are forced to make impossible choices, leading to dropouts, child labour, and early marriage for girls.
The problem is exacerbated by inconsistent government intervention grants, paid since 2017. School heads have turned to parents as a source of funding, with what began as a GH¢30 PTA levy now mutated into a significant financial burden. This has created a regressive tax on poverty, a betrayal of the teacher's calling, and a direct sabotage of free education in Ghana.
Accountability has collapsed, with regional directors and teacher unions pleading for sanctioned heads because the proceeds flow upward. Until the Ministry of Education enforces sanctions, including dismissal and prosecution, Ghanaian classrooms will remain markets where grades are sold to the highest bidder and the poor are priced out of their right to learn.
The issue of compulsory extra classes highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the education system in Ghana. The Ministry of Education must take concrete steps to address the problem, including providing adequate funding for schools and ensuring that teachers are held accountable for their actions.
Key points
- Compulsory extra classes are a regressive tax on poverty.
- The practice is a betrayal of the teacher's calling and a direct sabotage of free education in Ghana.
- The Ministry of Education must enforce sanctions, including dismissal and prosecution, to address the issue.
