The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has reported a climate of fear and panic among headteachers nationwide in the aftermath of the interdiction of some school leaders. The Ghana Education Service (GES) issued instructions on December 8, 2023, for two Senior High School heads to step aside as investigations are launched into allegations of a breach of the code of conduct.

The accusations include charging unapproved fees and selling items to first-year students as part of the admission process. Reverend Steven Owusu Sekyere, President of CHASS, has taken steps to meet with education officials to advocate for its members, emphasizing that the reported breach of the code of conduct might not accurately represent the situation on the ground. In an interview on Luv FM on December 11, 2023, Rev. Sekyere expressed support for the affected headteachers, urging a measured approach to accusations until investigations are concluded.

Rev. Sekyere acknowledged the toll the developments have taken on the interdicted headteachers, describing them as “down emotionally.” He stressed the importance of calming fears and panic among school heads, especially as secondary schools come under increased scrutiny.

Additionally, Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, revealed findings from their investigations, suggesting that charging unapproved fees was a widespread practice in schools. Asare explained that some school heads had printed prospectuses with accompanying charges, indicating evidence of the alleged misconduct. He called for further investigations by the GES to determine the extent of the extortion practices in schools.

The GES initiated the investigations after concerns were raised about the charging of unapproved fees and the sale of items to students. The outcome of the investigations will shed light on the veracity of the allegations and may influence the measures taken against the interdicted headteachers.