Don’t turn away students over trunks and chop boxes – GES directs SHSs

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has instructed Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Technical Schools (SHTSs) to stop rejecting newly admitted boarding students due to the type of trunk, chop box or personal storage container they bring to school. This decree comes after receiving reports that some schools are refusing to accommodate students who arrive with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes or other personal containers that do not meet the individual school's storage criteria.

GES warns that such actions could burden parents and guardians financially, especially those who might not be able to afford alternative storage items or specific brands demanded by various schools.

The Service emphasizes that students accepted into boarding accommodations must be treated equally and not discriminated against based on their economic status or their parents' or guardians' ability to purchase certain personal items. Regional Directors are tasked with conveying this directive to all school heads and ensuring that duly admitted students are not denied boarding accommodation solely because of their storage container choice.

GES clarifies that these items must be of reasonable size, safe, and not pose any health, safety or welfare risks to other students. Furthermore, any case where a duly admitted student is turned away or denied accommodation based solely on their storage container must be investigated and reported to GES Management. School heads who do not adhere to this directive could face consequences as per the relevant standards, regulations and laws of the Ghana Education Service.