The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service has issued a warning to institutions against collecting unapproved fees during the ongoing admissions process. According to the service, some TVET institutions are demanding payments from prospective students and parents, including admission processing charges and compulsory purchases of prospectuses. This practice undermines the government's Free TVET policy, aimed at providing equitable access to technical and vocational education.
The Ghana TVET Service has received reports of these unapproved fees and has launched nationwide monitoring and compliance exercises to address the issue. Academic Calendar Monitoring Teams have been deployed to TVET institutions across the country to assess admission procedures and ensure adherence to approved guidelines. The service has also urged parents and guardians not to make unapproved payments and encouraged them to report any such incidents through official channels.
The government introduced the Free TVET policy to expand access to technical and vocational education and reduce financial barriers for students seeking skills training. The policy aims to provide equitable access to education, and the Ghana TVET Service is committed to protecting its integrity. The service has warned that heads of institutions and staff found to be collecting or facilitating the collection of unauthorised fees will face disciplinary measures in line with regulations governing the service.
The Ghana TVET Service has emphasized that no student or parent is required to make any payment beyond those officially approved as part of the admissions process. The imposition of charges under the guise of admission processing fees or compulsory prospectus purchases is unacceptable and constitutes a clear violation of established directives. The service is taking all necessary measures to ensure that no Ghanaian child is denied access to education because of financial constraints.
The alleged fees risk creating the impression that technical and vocational education has become expensive, contrary to the government's Free TVET policy. The Ghana TVET Service is working to prevent this and ensure that the policy's objectives are met. By monitoring TVET institutions and taking disciplinary measures against those found to be collecting unapproved fees, the service aims to maintain the programme's integrity.
Parents and guardians have been advised to be cautious and report any incidents of unapproved payments to the authorities. The Ghana TVET Service has also reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Free TVET policy. The service will continue to work to ensure that technical and vocational education remains accessible and affordable for all Ghanaian students.
The Ghana TVET Service's efforts to address the issue of unapproved fees are part of its broader mandate to oversee the implementation of the Free TVET policy. By enforcing regulations and guidelines, the service aims to promote transparency and accountability in TVET institutions and ensure that students and parents are not exploited. The service's actions are expected to help maintain public trust in the programme and ensure its long-term success.
Key points
- The Ghana TVET Service has launched nationwide monitoring and compliance exercises to address the issue of unapproved fees in TVET institutions.
- The service has warned that heads of institutions and staff found to be collecting or facilitating the collection of unauthorised fees will face disciplinary measures.
- The government's Free TVET policy aims to provide equitable access to technical and vocational education and reduce financial barriers for students seeking skills training.
