The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the immediate suspension of graduation ceremonies across all educational levels, from Kindergarten (KG) to Senior High School (SHS), pending the development of new guidelines to regulate such events nationwide.
The decision, according to GES, forms part of broader efforts to review and streamline school celebrations to ensure they reflect the core values of education, promote inclusivity, and reduce the growing financial burden on parents and guardians.
Addressing the media, the Acting Director-General of GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, explained that concerns have been raised over the increasing commercialization, extravagance, and organization of graduation ceremonies in some schools across the country.
He noted that while celebrating students’ academic milestones remains important, there is a pressing need to ensure that such events do not place undue pressure on families or distract from the primary purpose of education.
“Education should remain accessible and equitable for every child. While recognition of achievement is important, celebrations must be conducted in a manner that is modest, inclusive, and aligned with educational objectives,” Prof. Davis stated.
Committee to Review School Celebrations
As part of the review process, GES will establish a committee to assess the organization of graduation ceremonies and other school events, including Speech and Prize-Giving Days.
The committee will engage key stakeholders in the education sector and develop comprehensive recommendations aimed at standardizing school celebrations across the country. The guidelines are expected to provide clear direction on the conduct, scale, and financial implications of such events.
According to GES, the move is intended to eliminate practices that create unnecessary competition among schools or impose excessive costs on parents through expensive attire, gift presentations, luxury vehicles, and other forms of display that have increasingly become associated with school graduation ceremonies.
Promoting Modesty and Equal Opportunity
Prof. Davis emphasized that the review seeks to promote modesty, discipline, educational excellence, and equal participation among students regardless of their socio-economic background.
He stressed that no child should feel excluded or disadvantaged because of their family’s inability to meet the financial demands associated with graduation celebrations.
The suspension will remain in force until the committee completes its work and submits its recommendations for consideration and approval by GES management.
The announcement comes amid ongoing national discussions about the growing trend of lavish graduation ceremonies and gift presentations on school campuses, with many education stakeholders calling for reforms to protect the integrity of Ghana’s educational system.
Parents, teachers, and school administrators are expected to comply fully with the directive as GES works toward introducing a standardized framework for school celebrations across the country.
