The Headmaster of Kpassa Senior High Technical School (KPASTECH), Rockson Kwame Tawiah, has been removed from office for illegally collecting money f
The Headmaster of Kpassa Senior High Technical School (KPASTECH), Rockson Kwame Tawiah, has been removed from office for illegally collecting money from students.
A committee set up by the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) found Mr. Tawiah guilty of charging each of the school’s 2,900 students GH¢150 without approval.
GES Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, confirmed the development to the Daily Graphic, explaining that the Director-General had ordered Mr. Tawiah to report to the Oti Regional Directorate for reassignment.
“Reassignment does not mean he will head another school. My understanding is that there are further sanctions to be applied,” Mr. Fenyi stated.
Background
Tension had been brewing at KPASTECH after reports surfaced that the headmaster had imposed unauthorized fines on students. The GH¢150 charge, imposed without the consent of the school’s Board of Governors or the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), was said to compensate for missing school items, including 27 ceiling fans, bulbs, and lamp holders—amounting to a total of GH¢435,000.
Further investigations revealed that Mr. Tawiah compelled 860 WASSCE candidates to pay the fine, allegedly threatening to block their results if they failed to comply. Receipts issued bore the stamp of the school’s accountant.
Additionally, new students were reportedly required to provide a ream of A4 sheets and a mini bucket of paint—items not listed in the GES-approved prospectus—and to pay GH¢50 for admission letter processing without receiving receipts.
Parents expressed outrage, describing the situation as unacceptable, especially under the government’s Free SHS policy meant to reduce financial burdens.
GES Action and Refunds
The GES summoned Mr. Tawiah, along with the Nkwanta-North District and Oti Regional Directors of Education, to Accra for questioning.
Mr. Fenyi disclosed that while the final report of the committee is yet to be released, the GES has already directed the immediate refund of all monies collected from students.
The Daily Graphic has confirmed that the school has begun refunding the unauthorized payments to affected students following the directive.