By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Ministry of Education has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend graduation ceremonies for Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country, a statement announced on Sunday.
According to the statement signed by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister for Education, the ministry has taken note of growing public concerns regarding the increasing trend of excessive display of wealth and flamboyance during graduation ceremonies in some SHSs across the country.
The Education Ministry condemned any conduct by students, parents, guardians, or other stakeholders that promotes extravagance and detracts from the true purpose of school ceremonies.
“The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service to suspend all SHS graduation ceremonies nationwide with immediate effect, pending a review of existing guidelines governing such events,” read the statement.
The ministry emphasized that schools are institutions for learning, character development, discipline, and the nurturing of responsible citizens and that graduation ceremonies are intended to celebrate academic achievement and personal growth and should therefore reflect the values of “modesty, dignity, and respect associated with the educational environment.”
The Education Ministry noted it remains committed to ensuring that all school activities uphold the highest standards of discipline, responsibility, and moral development in line with the objectives of Ghana’s educational system.
The Ghana Education Service had earlier issued a statement banning such post-examination lavish celebrations.
“Management of the GES has observed with concern an emerging trend of parents and guardians engaging in flamboyant celebration of their children’s completion of senior high school. Such opulent displays are characterized by the presentation of expensive gifts such as motor vehicles and money bouquets to their children or wards on school premises,” read the statement.
It added, “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 characterized by lavish presentation of items such as motor vehicles to students are prohibited on school premises.” Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
