Ghana's Education Ministry Bans Extravagant School Graduations
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The National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has thrown its full support behind the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service (GES) directive banning extravagant and profit-driven graduation ceremonies in pre-tertiary schools.
The NCPTA argued that such ceremonies often send the wrong message to pupils by equating success with expensive gowns, applause, and pageantry rather than hard work, good character, and academic achievement. Extravagant KG and Primary 6 graduations teach vanity, not values. They teach children that success equals gowns, applause, and spending, not character, humility, and service.
The association linked rising cases of indiscipline in schools to what it described as a gradual abandonment of communal values and character training. When a child learns entitlement at age five, we should not be surprised when SHS students riot, defy teachers, and disrespect authority at age 17 or 18.
The council called for graduation ceremonies to be restricted to terminal levels such as Junior High School, Senior High School, Senior High Technical School, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Level 3 programmes.
The NCPTA proposed that all school ceremonies be held during school hours in regular school uniforms, without gowns, vendors, or additional charges imposed on parents beyond approved PTA dues.
Schools are expected to organise cultural displays, Ghanaian proverb recitals, Bible and Quran readings, and TVET skills demonstrations to showcase students’ achievements.
The association also urged parents, particularly fathers, to take a more active role in the moral upbringing of their children. Parents are the first school. Correct at home before teachers correct in class. Fathers must set boundaries, not just pay bills.
The council further encouraged parents and schools to redirect resources typically spent on graduation ceremonies towards educational materials, apprenticeships, counselling services, and other initiatives that directly support student development.
Warning about the long-term consequences of prioritising pageantry over values, the NCPTA said Ghana’s challenges with indiscipline, examination malpractice, violence, drug abuse, and disrespect for authority stem partly from neglecting the communal responsibility of raising children.
Choose discipline over decoration. Choose correction over clout. Choose character over gowns. That is how we build Ghana, one responsible citizen at a time.
Parents and Schools Must Lead the Way
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has been at the forefront of reforming the country's education system. The GES Director-General, Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tiemelei, has stated that the ministry's primary goal is to promote quality and relevant education that equips students with the necessary skills and values to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
Redirecting Resources for Student Development
The NCPTA estimates that the average cost of a graduation ceremony in Ghana's pre-tertiary schools can range from GHC 10,000 to GHC 50,000. This is money that could be redirected to support student development and character building.
The Role of Parents in Character Formation
Research has shown that parents play a significant role in shaping their children's values and character. A study by the University of Ghana found that students who have positive relationships with their parents tend to perform better academically and exhibit better social behaviour.