Retired educationist supports GES ban on flashy Gifts, pre-tertiary graduations
Retired educationist Robert Ajene supports the GES ban on flashy gift presentations and urges authorities to prohibit graduation ceremonies at the pre-tertiary level.
A retired educationist, Robert Ajene, has backed the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) directive banning flashy post-examination presentations on school premises and is calling for a similar prohibition on graduation ceremonies at the basic and secondary school levels, particularly in private schools.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday, June 25, Ajene commended the GES for what he described as a bold step towards restoring discipline and reducing unnecessary displays during school activities.
According to him, the directive is a welcome intervention that will help refocus schools on their core mandate of teaching and learning rather than promoting extravagant celebrations.
Ajene argued that graduation ceremonies at the pre-tertiary level are unnecessary because education at that stage is a continuous process rather than the completion of a final academic programme.
“If they are conducting graduations at Primary Six, what do they want the parents to come and see? It’s a continuous process, so why the need to stop there for a graduation?” he questioned.
He described the growing trend of organising graduation ceremonies for pupils at various pre-tertiary levels as inappropriate and a sign of indiscipline, adding that he was uncertain whether the Ghana Education Service was fully aware of the practice.
“If the government is aware of these graduations in the schools, then it should put a stop to them,” he stated.
Ajene further maintained that schools should take sole responsibility for recognising outstanding pupils during speech and prize-giving ceremonies instead of encouraging parents to present gifts on school premises.
“On speech and prize-giving day, parents can come and witness the achievements of their wards and not bring gifts for them. Gift presentation should solely be done by the school and not parents,” he said.
The retired educationist expressed the belief that extending the GES directive to include a ban on pre-tertiary graduation ceremonies would help preserve discipline in schools, reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents, and ensure that educational events remain focused on academic excellence and character development rather than displays of extravagance.
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