Private Schools Charging High Fees for BECE Certificates Amid Security Recruitment

Concerns are rising as several private schools across the country are reportedly charging former students steep fees to release their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) certificates. These certificates are a mandatory requirement for registration in the ongoing recruitment exercise for the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and Ghana Immigration Service.

The recruitment process, which commenced on Monday, 17th November 2025, is expected to run until 19th December 2025. This has increased the urgency, as applicants have limited time to submit all required documents, including the BECE certificate.

Reports indicate that some schools are demanding fees ranging from 100 to 300 Ghana cedis, with some schools reportedly charging an additional 20 Ghana cedis before handing over the certificate. This practice has left many former students stranded, unable to complete their registration for the national recruitment exercise.

Parents and prospective applicants are frustrated, noting that they had already paid for the examination during BECE registration years ago. They question why schools continue to hold onto these certificates and capitalize on the current recruitment drive to demand additional fees.

“The certificate is our child’s property. We paid for it years ago during registration. There is no justification for these high charges,” said one concerned parent.

The BECE certificate has become even more crucial at this time. It is one of the core basic requirements needed by the Police Service, Fire Service, and Immigration Service in their current recruitment process. Without the certificate, applicants cannot proceed to the next stage of registration. This makes the delays and charges by some schools even more troubling.

Attempts to engage the schools on this matter have reportedly been unsuccessful. Parents and affected students are calling on the Ministry of Education and other national authorities to intervene and investigate the situation immediately. They are also urging school associations and unions, such as GNAT, GNAPS, UPSTAG, and GNACOPS, to take action and ensure that private schools release certificates without undue charges.

Suggestions from varied social media platforms have proposed the creation of an online platform where individuals who need or have misplaced their certificates can easily retrieve them. This would prevent undue exploitation. It would ensure smooth participation in national recruitment exercises.

Failure to pay these fees, parents warn, could deny their ward the opportunity to participate in the national recruitment exercise. It could deny them the chance to serve their country. It can also prevent more competent and energetic individuals from applying to serve their nation. They also claim it may violate their rights. The situation is fast becoming a national concern. It highlights the urgent need for oversight and regulation of certificate handling by private educational institutions.