GES Sets Up Committee to Review ‘Extravagant’ Celebrations of Pupils’ Academic Achievements in Schools

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has constituted an 18-member committee to review the growing trend of extravagant celebrations organised by parents and guardians on school premises to mark the academic achievements of children and wards.

In a letter dated 6th August, 2026, addressed to all stakeholders and signed by the GES Council, the Service said the Director-General established the committee and tasked it to undertake a comprehensive review of existing practices and to develop appropriate guidelines to regulate such celebrations.

As part of its mandate, a sub-committee will embark on a nationwide data collection exercise and engage key stakeholders to solicit views and recommendations.

Stakeholders to be consulted include school authorities, parents, learners, teacher unions, faith-based organisations, private school associations, Regional and District Directors of Education, traditional and community leaders, and other relevant groups.

The committee will administer questionnaires to gather information that will inform the development of comprehensive guidelines on how academic achievements of school children and wards should be celebrated on school premises.

GES appealed to all stakeholders to extend their fullest cooperation to members of the committee by providing the necessary information and support to ensure the successful execution of the assignment.

The Service noted that the new guidelines, when finalised, are expected to help streamline celebrations in schools while preserving the recognition of academic excellence in a manner that is fair, inclusive, and does not place undue financial burden on parents and schools.

The decision follows concerns about the increasing scale and nature of these events held on school grounds, which have raised questions about cost, disruption to academic activities, and equity among learners.

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