GES must sanction SHSs that allowed flamboyant, extravagant graduation celebrations — NPP's Kwadwo Poku
Staunch New Patriotic Party (NPP) member Kwadwo Poku has urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to back the suspension of senior high school graduation ceremonies with strict sanctions against institutions that defy the directive.
His comments follow the Ministry's decision to halt graduation ceremonies in senior high schools amid growing concerns over the increasing display of wealth and extravagance that have come to characterise some of these events.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Poku argued that the directive would have little impact unless authorities demonstrate a willingness to enforce compliance through punitive measures.
“GES should really forget about just stopping it. They should sanction schools that allow these graduation things to happen,” he said.
According to him, public schools are designed to provide a level playing field where students from diverse social and economic backgrounds can interact, learn, and develop without unnecessary emphasis on wealth or status.
He stressed that preserving discipline and uniformity within the education system requires more than policy pronouncements, noting that institutions that disregard official directives must be held accountable.
“We should make sure that that environment is protected because the school of education is to learn,” he said.
Mr. Poku further maintained that standardisation remains a critical component of the public education system, particularly under the Free SHS programme, which has brought together students from varying economic backgrounds across the country.
He said safeguarding that environment is essential to ensuring that educational institutions remain focused on learning and personal development rather than social competition and displays of affluence.