The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially banned flamboyant post-examination celebrations on school premises, citing concerns over socio-economic divisions and psychological distress among students.
The directive, issued from the GES Headquarters in Accra, targets an emerging trend where parents and guardians mark the completion of Senior High School with opulent displays.
According to educational authorities, these celebrations frequently feature the presentation of luxury items, including motor vehicles and elaborate money bouquets, directly on school grounds.
While the regulatory body clarified that it does not oppose families celebrating academic milestones, it drew a firm line against hosting ostentatious displays within school gates.
“In order to ensure that this practice does not gain roots in the school culture, Management wishes to inform the general public that, henceforth, post-examination celebrations that are characterised by lavish presentation of items such as motor vehicles to students are prohibited on school premises,” stated Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations for the GES.
The restriction is rooted in maintaining the core mission of educational institutions as level playing fields.
The GES noted that campus environments are designed to act as social equalizers where personal effort and academic merit take precedence over financial status.
“Ostentatious displays of wealth by parents on school premises create visible socio-economic divisions, shift the focus from academic achievement to financial privilege, and can foster psychological distress among students whose parents are not able to compete in such flamboyant celebrations,” the statement noted.
To ensure strict compliance, the GES warned that institutional heads will be held accountable, noting that “heads of schools who allow this practice on their campus will be sanctioned.”
The management concluded its directive by calling on parents, guardians, and school stakeholders to cooperate with the new regulations to preserve a healthy and equitable academic environment.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana