Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School Clarifies WASSCE Registration Fee Concerns

In a strong statement released today, authorities at Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) have firmly denied allegations that the institution is charging students 5,000 Ghana Cedis (GH¢5,000) as registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

School management described the circulating claims as “malicious and false,” suggesting they were deliberately spread to damage the reputation of both the school and its leadership. The allegations come at a sensitive time, as final year students across Ghana prepare for their critical exit examinations.

According to the school’s statement, the actual WASSCE registration fees established by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC-Ghana) range from GH¢604.63 for a single subject to GH¢856.96 for six or more subjects – figures significantly lower than the alleged GH¢5,000 being cited in the false reports.

The administration urged concerned parents and stakeholders to verify fee information directly with either the school management or WAEC-Ghana rather than relying on unverified claims circulating in public spaces.

“We believe this false allegation appears to be a retaliatory attempt by individuals unhappy with the headmaster’s stance against exam malpractices,” the statement noted, suggesting the accusations might be connected to recent anti-cheating measures implemented at the school.

The controversy emerges against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny on examination fees across Ghana’s educational sector, where cost barriers to education remain a sensitive issue for many families. In recent years, the Ghana Education Service and WAEC have made efforts to standardize and clearly communicate examination fees to prevent exploitation.

Frederick Keelson-Aikins, who was appointed headmaster of OKESS just months ago, has reportedly been implementing stricter examination protocols. According to the school’s statement, his administration has worked to ensure “a fair and transparent examination process” that accurately reflects students’ academic abilities.

Educational analysts note that exam malpractice has been a persistent challenge in Ghana’s secondary education system, with some schools previously coming under fire for allegedly facilitating or turning a blind eye to cheating. Headmasters who take strong stances against such practices sometimes face resistance from various quarters.

“The school has maintained a good track record, and such baseless claims won’t deter us from our commitment to academic excellence,” the statement continued, signaling the administration’s determination to maintain its new standards despite the negative publicity.

Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School, affectionately known as “Ahenemma” among its alumni and students, is one of the prominent secondary schools in the Ashanti Region. The institution has been working to enhance its academic reputation, with the current administration focusing on legitimate improvements in teaching and assessment methods.

The school administration expressed gratitude to Headmaster Keelson-Aikins for his “dedication and leadership in steering the school towards academic excellence” despite the challenges faced during his tenure.

WASSCE examinations are crucial milestone events for Ghanaian students, as the results determine university admissions and future career prospects. Any irregularities or excessive costs associated with these exams typically generate significant public concern, explaining the school’s quick move to address the allegations.

School officials indicated they are considering “necessary actions” to protect their reputation, though they did not specify whether this might include legal proceedings against those spreading the false information.