The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools to stop turning away students because they report with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes or other personal storage containers.
The directive follows reports received by the Ghana Education Service that some schools were refusing to accommodate newly admitted boarding students over the type of storage containers they brought to school.
In a letter dated Friday, September 18, 2026, and signed by Deputy Director-General (Management Services), Prof. Smile Dzisi, the GES said such practices could place an unnecessary financial burden on parents and guardians.
The GES stressed that students admitted to boarding facilities must be treated fairly, regardless of their parents’ or guardians’ ability to purchase specific types or brands of personal effects.
“Consequently, Regional Directors are kindly requested to inform all Heads of Schools to desist from turning away, refusing admission or denying accommodation to duly admitted students solely on the basis of the type of trunk, chop box or personal storage container they bring to school,” the directive stated.
The GES, however, said schools could reject storage containers that are not reasonably sized, unsafe or pose a risk to the health, safety or welfare of other students.
The Service has also instructed Regional Directors to ensure that any reported case involving a duly admitted student being denied accommodation solely because of the type of storage container used is investigated and reported to Management.
The directive warned that heads of SHS and SHTS who fail to comply could face sanctions.
“Any Head of SHS/SHSTS who flouts this directive shall be dealt with in accordance with the applicable standards, regulations and laws of the Service,” the GES warned.
