{
  "id": 8423667,
  "title": "Don’t turn away students over trunks and chop boxes – GES directs SHSs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/dont-turn-away-students-over-trunks-and-chop-boxes-ges-directs-shss",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T08:57:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/dont-turn-away-students-over-trunks-and-chop-boxes-ges-directs-shss/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a directive to Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) to no longer turn away admitted boarding students based on the type of trunk, chop box, or personal storage container they bring to school. This decision comes after receiving complaints that some schools were refusing to accommodate new students who arrived with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes, or other personal storage items that did not meet the schools' specific requirements. GES emphasizes that such practices could create financial strain on parents and guardians, particularly those who may not be able to afford alternative storage options or specific brands and types of items demanded by individual schools. The directive stresses that students admitted to boarding accommodation must be treated fairly and without discrimination based on their economic circumstances or their parents' or guardians' ability to purchase particular personal effects. Regional Directors are instructed to communicate this directive to all Heads of Schools and ensure that duly admitted students are not denied boarding accommodation solely based on the type of storage container they bring. GES clarifies that the items must be reasonably sized, safe, and not pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of other students. Failure to comply with the directive may result in disciplinary action, as per the applicable standards, regulations, and laws of the Ghana Education Service.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "School heads who turn away students over trunks, chop boxes risk sanctions – GES warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/school-heads-who-turn-away-students-over-trunks-chop-boxes-risk",
        "published": "2026-09-19T09:37:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Starr FM",
        "title": "GES directs SHSs, SHTSs not to deny boarding students accommodation over trunks, chop boxes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ges-directs-shss-shtss-not-to-deny-boarding-students-accommodation",
        "published": "2026-09-19T10:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "GES orders SHS to stop turning away students with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ges-orders-shs-to-stop-turning-away-students-with-metal-trunks-wooden",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:05:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}