The amount is estimated to be over GH¢315 million.

According to the NGO, research conducted in five out of the sixteen regions, show that children in public basic schools are made to pay levies to cover desk, teachers’ motivation, admission fees, and in some instances ICT fees where there are no computers or electricity.

Speaking to Citi News, President of Challenging Heights, James Kofi Annan said, although government has increased the capitation grant from GH¢4.5 to GH¢10 per child, their inability to release monies to the basic schools defeats the purpose for which the capitation grant was set up.

“Currently, the government is reported to be owing basic schools in excess of GH¢315 million, representing four terms in arrears. The result shows that children in public basic schools are being forced to pay levies to cover desks, teacher’s motivation, admission fees, printing fees, PTA fees, electricity, and ICT fees even when there are no computers. These things are overburdening the parents,” James Kofi Annan said.

“It is strange to note that the research also found out that at the pre-school level, some parents are paying a minimum of GH¢459.50 and a maximum of GH¢1000 per academic year. At the lower primary level, the result shows that parents spend a minimum of GH¢300 and a maximum of G¢1,300 per academic year. At the Upper Primary School level, the results show that parents could be paying a minimum of GH¢295 per academic year and a maximum amount of GH¢1,200 per academic year,” James said.

Mr. Annan noted that they engaged heads of basic schools in five out of the sixteen regions and in 25 districts within those selected regions.

According to Challenging Heights, it emerged that when the heads of these basics schools are in financial distress, they fall on parents of these children to bail them out, hence the charging of these hidden and unapproved fees and levies.

Ahead of the Finance Minister’s address on the state of the economy, the NGO wants the government to address these challenges to lessen the burden on parents.

“We know the Finance Minister will be addressing the nation on the state of the economy, and we expect the Ministry to factor in arrears owed to basic school to lessen the burden,” Mr. Annan added.