Prof. Quartey slams GES ban on graduation ceremonies

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has banned graduation ceremonies and related activities in pre-tertiary schools, citing growing excesses associated with such events. However, Professor Peter Quartey, Economist and Executive Director of the Startrite Montessori School, has slammed the decision as a 'knee-jerk reaction' that punishes schools instead of addressing the excesses.

According to Prof. Quartey, the GES failed to consult private school operators or their representative associations before issuing the directive, despite the significant implications for schools, parents, and pupils. He stated on Joy FM's Super Morning Show that stakeholders were not engaged before the announcement, saying 'A big no, not at all, and none of the private associations that we belong to were consulted.'

Prof. Quartey argued that the phrase 'related activities' is too vague and could inadvertently affect long-standing educational traditions such as speech and prize-giving ceremonies. He emphasized that these occasions provide opportunities to reward hardworking students, recognize dedicated teachers, and celebrate achievement. Many schools had already invested substantial resources in organizing end-of-term ceremonies before the directive was issued, and Prof. Quartey believes that abruptly halting planned events would result in financial losses for schools while disappointing students, teachers, and parents who had spent months preparing for them.

While acknowledging that some schools have introduced extravagant practices that deserve to be addressed, Prof. Quartey insisted that regulation—not prohibition—was the appropriate response. He disclosed that he and other stakeholders had attempted to seek clarification from GES officials following the announcement but were yet to receive a clear explanation on whether the ban is temporary or permanent.

Prof. Quartey further argued that graduation ceremonies serve broader educational purposes beyond celebrating pupils completing one stage of schooling. He explained that such events motivate students through awards and recognition, encourage parents to support their children's education, and provide schools with an opportunity to account to parents on academic progress, challenges, and future plans.

The educationist also linked the issue to broader concerns about spending within the education sector, pointing to contradictions under the Free Senior High School policy. He questioned whether the GES intended to extend the ban to higher educational institutions if the directive was permanent.

'We use the opportunity to reward students, motivate them and engage parents. If you see your colleague receiving a prize, it motivates you. Parents also get a report about the school's progress and challenges. We also bring in resource persons to speak on important issues that benefit both parents and students,' Prof. Quartey said.

The Ghana Education Service's (GES) directive to ban graduation ceremonies and related activities in pre-tertiary schools has sparked controversy, with Prof. Peter Quartey, Economist and Executive Director of the Startrite Montessori School, slamming the decision as a 'knee-jerk reaction' that punishes schools instead of addressing the excesses.

Prof. Quartey pointed out that the directive failed to consider the financial implications for schools and the disappointment it would cause for students, teachers, and parents who had planned for the events. He emphasized that regulation, not prohibition, was the appropriate response to address the excesses associated with graduation ceremonies.

In a recent interview, Prof. Quartey highlighted the importance of graduation ceremonies in motivating students, encouraging parental support, and providing schools with an opportunity to report on academic progress and challenges.

Prof. Quartey called for clear guidelines and regulations to address the excesses associated with graduation ceremonies, rather than an outright ban. He emphasized that the decision had significant implications for schools, parents, and pupils, and that it was essential to consider these implications before making such a decision.

The Free Senior High School policy, which was introduced to make secondary education free, has been criticized for its implementation, with some schools accused of misusing the funds meant for the policy. Prof. Quartey questioned whether the GES intended to extend the ban to higher educational institutions if the directive was permanent.

'The same people we say cannot pay school fees and therefore government pays their fees, provides uniforms, and textbooks are the same people displaying expensive cars and money bouquets during school ceremonies,' he said.

Prof. Quartey emphasized that graduation ceremonies were essential for the educational and emotional growth of students, and that they provided an opportunity for schools to recognize and reward students' achievements.

The Ghana Education Service's (GES) directive to ban graduation ceremonies and related activities in pre-tertiary schools has sparked controversy, with Prof. Peter Quartey, Economist and Executive Director of the Startrite Montessori School, slamming the decision as a 'knee-jerk reaction' that punishes schools instead of addressing the excesses.

Prof. Quartey pointed out that the directive failed to consider the financial implications for schools and the disappointment it would cause for students, teachers, and parents who had planned for the events. He emphasized that regulation, not prohibition, was the appropriate response to address the excesses associated with graduation ceremonies.

Prof. Quartey called for clear guidelines and regulations to address the excesses associated with graduation ceremonies, rather than an outright ban. He emphasized that the decision had significant implications for schools, parents, and pupils, and that it was essential to consider these implications before making such a decision.

The Ghana Education Service's (GES) directive to ban graduation ceremonies and related activities in pre-tertiary schools has sparked controversy. Prof. Peter Quartey, Economist and Executive Director of the Startrite Montessori School, has criticized the decision, describing it as a 'knee-jerk reaction' that punishes schools instead of addressing the excesses.

In a recent interview, Prof. Quartey emphasized the importance of graduation ceremonies in motivating students, encouraging parental support, and providing schools with an opportunity to report on academic progress and challenges. He also highlighted the financial implications of the directive, stating that it would result in financial losses for schools while disappointing students, teachers, and parents who had spent months preparing for the events.

Prof. Quartey questioned whether the GES intended to extend the ban to higher educational institutions if the directive was permanent. He also linked the issue to broader concerns about spending within the education sector, pointing to contradictions under the Free Senior High School policy.

'We use the opportunity to reward students, motivate them and engage parents. If you see your colleague receiving a prize, it motivates you. Parents also get a report about the school's progress and challenges. We also bring in resource persons to speak on important issues that benefit both parents and students,' Prof. Quartey said.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated that complaints about graduation ceremonies had become too frequent, prompting the decision to suspend them while authorities considered the way forward.