The placement is out, the excitement is building, and then the reality hits: what exactly does my child need to report to school? The Ghana Education Service has released a National Harmonised Prospectus for the 2026/2027 academic year, standardising the items required for both boarding and day students. But the prospectus is not a fee list. It is a shopping list—and the cost of fulfilling it is falling entirely on parents.
Part 1: SHS Admission Requirements
What You Need to Report
Admission to a Senior High School is not automatic just because you have been placed. You must present specific documents when you report to your assigned school.
The Placement Slip. Every candidate who is successfully placed receives a placement slip showing their assigned school, programme, boarding or day status, and reporting date. You must print this slip and present it when reporting . Without it, the school cannot verify your placement.
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The BECE Certificate or Results. Schools require proof of your BECE performance. If you have not yet received your certificate (which is typically distributed through your former school), you may need to present your results slip or a printout of your results.
The Prospectus. Schools will expect you to arrive with the items listed in the National Harmonised Prospectus. The prospectus is released ahead of placements specifically to give parents time to prepare .
Personal Identification. While not always explicitly stated, schools may require a form of identification, such as a Ghana Card or birth certificate, for enrolment records.
The Online Admission Process
Some schools use an online admission system. The process typically involves logging into a portal, entering your JHS Index Number, confirming payment via mobile money, filling in your details, and downloading your admission letter and prospectus. This is school-specific; not all schools use the same platform.
Part 2: SHS School Fees
The Free SHS Policy
Under the Free Senior High School policy, tuition, accommodation, and feeding are provided by the government for students in public senior high schools . The GES has stated categorically that no school has been authorised to charge fees under any name or guise .
In May 2026, the GES dismissed reports that some schools were demanding GH¢1,700 as feeding fees, reassuring the public that “Free SHS remains completely free” and that any school found charging money would be investigated and sanctioned .
What Parents Actually Pay For
The Free SHS policy does not cover the items on the prospectus. Parents are responsible for purchasing the personal items, bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and school-specific items listed in the National Harmonised Prospectus.
Estimates suggest boarding parents could spend GH¢3,500 or more on prospectus items before fees and food provisions, with no government subsidy announced for these items .
This is the distinction that matters: the school fees are free, but the prospectus items are not.
Part 3: The SHS Prospectus: What Students Need
Boarding Students
The GES has released a National Harmonised Prospectus for the 2026/2027 academic year, standardising the items required across all public schools. The list is extensive.
Personal and Bedding Items:
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Hard body suitcase or trunk, and a chop box (wooden or plastic)
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Drinking cup, plate, and cutlery
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Toiletries: deodorant, toilet roll, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, pomade, and two packs of sanitary pads for girls
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Decent sandals (school-specific, no embellishment), leather slippers, sneakers (black or white), two pairs of socks
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Pyjamas or sleepwear
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Underwear: five pants and three vests for girls; three boxer shorts and three singlets for boys
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Plastic bucket with cover and pail
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Bible (RSV or NIV) or Quran, and Hymn Book for Christians (school-specific)
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Pillow, two bedsheets with two pillowcases (plain white), one blanket, and sleeping cloth
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White dress for ladies, two white shirts (one short sleeve, one long sleeve), a pair of khaki trousers, a pair of white trousers (or school-specific)
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Student-size mosquito net
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School bag, mathematical set, scientific calculator
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Two checked dresses (where applicable)
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Student mattress, shoes (school-specific colour), belt (school-specific colour)
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One hoe or cutlass
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Med shea organic mosquito repellent
School Items (Choose One Group):
Students are required to buy items from one of three groups :
Group 1: A pair of hard hand gloves, five litres of liquid soap, one kilogramme of washing powder soap.
Group 2: One small bleach, one dust pan, one long-handle broom, one scrubbing brush.
Group 3: One standing mop and mop bucket, one duster, one short local broom.
Important: All personal items should be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name .
Day Students
The list for day students is lighter but still requires specific items :
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Mathematical set and scientific calculator
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Decent sandals (school-specific, no embellishment)
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Decent sneakers (black or white)
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One school bag
Day students are also required to buy items from one of the three school-item groups listed above .
What Schools Cannot Do
The GES has warned schools that they are prohibited from requesting additional items from students beyond what is listed in the harmonised prospectus . The purpose of the standardised list is to ensure a “smooth, consistent and standardised admission process nationwide” .
If a school demands items not on the list, parents should query it with the GES.
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Prospectus Release | National Harmonised Prospectus 2026/2027 |
| School Fees (Free SHS) | Free; no authorised fees |
| Estimated Prospectus Cost (Boarding) | GH¢3,500+ |
| Bedding Items | Mattress, bedsheets, pillow, blanket, mosquito net |
| Toiletries | Soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, sanitary pads (girls) |
| School Items | Choose one of three groups (cleaning supplies) |
| Personal Items | Must be embossed/embroidered with student’s name |
| Day Student Items | Lighter list; calculator, sandals, sneakers, school bag |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the admission requirements for SHS in Ghana?
You need your placement slip, proof of BECE results, and the items listed in the National Harmonised Prospectus. Some schools may also require identification documents.
2. Is SHS free in Ghana?
Yes. Under the Free SHS policy, tuition, accommodation, and feeding are covered by the government for students in public schools. No school is authorised to charge fees.
3. What is the National Harmonised Prospectus?
It is a standardised list of items required for SHS admission, released by the GES for the 2026/2027 academic year. It covers both boarding and day students .
4. How much will the prospectus items cost?
Estimates suggest boarding parents could spend GH¢3,500 or more on prospectus items. There is no government subsidy for these items .
5. What items are on the boarding prospectus?
The list includes a trunk, bedding, toiletries, uniforms, shoes, a mosquito net, a school bag, a mathematical set, a scientific calculator, and cleaning supplies from one of three groups .
6. What items are on the day student prospectus?
Day students need a mathematical set, scientific calculator, sandals, sneakers, and a school bag, plus items from one of the three cleaning supply groups.
7. Do I need to emboss my name on the items?
Yes. The GES states that all personal items should be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name .
8. Can schools demand extra items not on the prospectus?
No. The GES has prohibited schools from requesting additional items beyond the harmonised prospectus . If a school does, parents should query it.
9. What is the reporting date for SHS freshers?
The placement slip shows the reporting date. You must print the slip and present it when reporting to your assigned school .
10. Is there an online admission process?
Some schools use an online system where you enter your JHS Index Number, confirm payment via mobile money, and download your admission letter and prospectus. This varies by school.
Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
