Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has clarified that the government’s ban on extravagant post-WASSCE celebrations applies to all schools in Ghana. The directive affects both public and private institutions.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Iddrisu said the measure is meant to protect the dignity of schools. He said schools should remain focused on learning and academic achievement.
When asked whether the directive covers only public schools, he gave a clear answer.
“It covers all schools in Ghana. It covers all schools in Ghana,” he said.
He added that the government will not allow lavish celebrations to become part of the country’s educational culture.
“We cannot allow this culture to be part of the development of Ghanaian learners. It’s a simple no,” he stated.
Parents can still celebrate children
The clarification follows a recent Ghana Education Service (GES) directive banning post-examination celebrations involving expensive gifts. These include motor vehicles, money bouquets and other displays of wealth on school premises.
Mr Iddrisu said parents are free to reward their children for completing school. However, he stressed that such celebrations should take place outside school compounds.
“You don’t need to do that in school,” he said.
He explained that raising children is a shared duty between parents and teachers.
“Parenting is a shared responsibility between the home and the school. The parent, the significant others, and the teacher share the two environments together,” he said.
Schools should remain places for learning
According to the Minister, school campuses must remain safe and dignified spaces. He said they should promote healthy academic competition.
“The school environment is an environment for academic competition, nothing more,” he stated.
Mr Iddrisu also criticised the growing trend of extravagant displays on school grounds.
“The extravagant, lavish display of wealth is utterly unacceptable, and we would not tolerate or accommodate that going forward,” he said.
GES approval now required
The Minister disclosed that recent incidents that triggered public debate were not brought to the attention of the Ministry of Education or the Director-General of the GES beforehand.
“But these developments were not known prior to the Director-General of GES and to the Ministry of Education,” he said.
To strengthen enforcement, Mr Iddrisu announced that schools must now seek approval before organising related ceremonies.
“We have accordingly asked that no institution should proceed with those ceremonies without clear clearance from the Director-General of the GES,” he said.
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