Report On Alleged Charging Of PTA Dues/Levies At Wesley Girls' Senior High School, Cape Coast

Background:

I received a message last night by a concerned Ghanaian as regards huge sums of money being charged on Wesley Girls' students through the School's PTA.

Action Taken:
I informed my bosses and promised to follow the issue up the following morning and report back. I sent a message to the Head about my planned visit. I was at the school for almost two hours, but I was told the Headmistress, Mrs. Kay Ankomah was not around as she was engaged in other official duties. I spoke with the Assistant Head (Domestic) and the School Administrator, but both asked me to speak to the Head at the opportune time. I had interaction with some few parents and students as the Green Track students were preparing to go home for their holidays. Upon my return to the office, the Headmistress got in touch with me on phone and later referred me to the Chairperson of the PTA, Mrs. Marilyn Owusu.

Findings:
• The Headmistress confirmed that, the charges were true, but she has no hand in it as it was a decision made by the PTA this Semester. As to whether the PTA had approval from the Director-General of GES, she couldn't confirm it. She referred to a verbal message by the Deputy Director General - GES, Mr. Boateng that, PTA's should be allowed to operate independently.

• The PTA Chairperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ocran, an Old Girl of the School, on a phone chat with me revealed as follows:

- that, it is true that the PTA is collecting 1000gh per student per year, but the Form Three students will top up with 80gh to make it 1080gh.

- that some parents have already paid the money

- that, the payment is a voluntary one by parents to support government's efforts to give the best for the students

- that, no student has been asked to go home, been punished or denied access to classes because of non-payment of such PTA dues

- that, parents themselves agreed that, they should be given a PTA bill as reminder for them to pay the money

- that, they have been informed by Mr. Michael Nsowah, GES Council Chair, that, PTAs must be given a free hand to operate. She has backed this with Graphic reportage.

- that, they have the minutes of the PTA as regards the charges and would make a copy available to me

- that, they are yet to write to the Director-General of GES for approval if that was the norm

• I also found out that, the Green Track students were on their way home; and that, text messages had already been sent to parents of the Gold Track to bring their wards to school tomorrow, 8th November, 2018 instead of Saturday, 10th November, 2018.

Conclusion:
Both the Headmistress and the PTA Chair have confirmed the charges, but the PTA is exclusively responsible for the collection. It will therefore be more appropriate for the GES to come out once again with a directive on how much a school could charge for PTA dues depending on her peculiar problem.

...Signed...

(Kingsley Opoku Agyemang)

Free SHS Coordinator, Central Region