Source Zak1ma
Education News Ghana
SHS Students Must Use Harmonised Prospectus—GES
Ghana Education Service (GES) has made it clear that all Senior High School (SHS) students entering the first year must use only the approved, harmonised prospectus. Any attempts by school heads to impose additional items or demand unapproved fees will not be tolerated.
What is the Harmonised Prospectus?
The harmonised prospectus is a standardized list of items that fresh SHS students are required to acquire before reporting to their schools. It aims to ensure fairness, prevent unnecessary expenses, and eliminate “extras” that vary from one school to another.
Rather than each school creating its own list (which has sometimes included items beyond what’s strictly necessary), the harmonised version is intended as the definitive guide. Schools are to adhere strictly to this list.
Why the Move?
The GES’s directive responds to reports that some school heads were:
issuing unapproved prospectuses;
Selling items listed in the prospectus directly in their schools (sometimes at inflated prices);
adding extra, “non-approved” items (uniforms, house dues, hymn books, etc.) beyond what the harmonized prospectus requires; and
In some cases, they are even selling items that are supposed to be supplied, or free, by the government.
These practices have raised concerns about inequality, financial burden on parents, and inconsistency across different schools.
GES’s Response
To address the problem, GES has taken several steps:
Issued warnings to heads of second-cycle schools to cease all practices involving unapproved prospectuses or extra demands.
Declared that any head of school caught adding non-approved items will face sanctions.
Directed regional directors of education to inspect schools in their areas to ensure compliance.
Provided clarity on the items in the harmonised prospectus so parents can plan ahead and avoid having to buy unnecessary extras.
What It Means for Students and Parents
For parents and guardians, this should help reduce uncertainty and unexpected costs. Buying only what the approved list demands means less chance of being pressured into purchasing items that aren’t necessary. It also means time and money can be better managed, especially for families stretched financially.
For students, the harmonised prospectus offers a more level playing field. With standard requirements, students from different regions or schools are judged by more uniform criteria when arriving at school.
Challenges and Concerns
Even so, some concerns remain:
Enforcement: It’s one thing to have the rules; it’s another to make sure every SHS obeys them. Some school heads have already been interdicted (i.e., temporarily removed) for allegedly adding extra fees or items.
Communication: Parents need to know exactly what’s on the harmonised prospectus and which items are “must-have” vs. optional. Misinformation can cause anxiety and unnecessary spending.
Quality and standardization of items: Even when only approved items are required, differences in quality or school specifications (e.g., sneakers or specific shoes) can still lead to cost variations.
The Bigger Picture
This policy ties into the government’s broader Free SHS initiative, which aims to make senior high schooling accessible and affordable for all Ghanaian children. A harmonised prospectus supports this goal by reducing hidden costs that often burden parents.
Uniformity in what is required helps in planning (both for households and the education system), fosters fairness, and sets clear expectations for all parties. It also helps reduce grievances and accusations of exploitation or profiteering under the guise of school requirements.
Conclusion
The directive from the Ghana Education Service—that SHS first-year students use only the approved harmonised prospectus—may seem administrative, but its implications are deeply personal for many families. By removing needless items, limiting extra fees, and ensuring fairness, the policy promises to make the transition into senior high school less stressful and more equitable.
The success of this initiative, however, will depend on consistent enforcement, clear communication, and the buy-in of school administrators, parents, and students alike.
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