The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) to stop turning away duly admitted boarding students because they report to school with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes or other personal storage containers.
The directive follows reports that some schools were refusing to accommodate newly admitted students based on the type of trunk or chop box they brought to school.
In a directive to Regional Directors, GES said such practices could impose unnecessary financial burdens on parents and guardians who may be unable to afford alternative storage containers prescribed by individual schools.
“Any student admitted to boarding accommodation should be treated fairly and accommodated without discrimination based on their economic circumstances or the ability of their parents or guardians to purchase particular brands or types of personal effects,” the directive stated.
GES has therefore instructed Regional Directors to ensure that all Heads of Schools desist from turning away, refusing admission or denying accommodation to duly admitted students solely because of the type of trunk, chop box or personal storage container they bring to school.
The Service, however, said the items must be reasonably sized, safe and not pose a risk to the health, safety or welfare of other students.
“Any reported case of a duly admitted student being denied accommodation or turned away solely because of the type of trunk, chop box or personal storage container brought to school should be investigated and same reported to Management,” GES directed.
The Service further warned that Heads of SHS and SHTS who flout the directive would face sanctions in accordance with applicable standards, regulations and laws governing the Service.
The directive is intended to ensure that boarding students are not denied accommodation because of the financial circumstances of their parents or guardians or their inability to purchase specific types of personal storage containers.
