The Ministry of Education has suspended all Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremonies nationwide pending a review of existing guidelines governing such events.

The directive, issued by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, follows growing concerns over extravagant displays of wealth during graduation ceremonies in some schools. Currently trending on social media is a video of a student of Holy Child School student who was apparently presented with a car as a graduation gift from her parents.

In a statement issued on June 20, the ministry said graduation ceremonies should reflect the values of modesty, discipline and respect associated with education rather than becoming platforms for flamboyant displays.

It added that schools are institutions for learning and character development, and activities organised within them should support those objectives.

The ministry also condemned conduct that shifts attention away from the purpose of graduation ceremonies and directed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to immediately halt all SHS graduation events across the country.

Meanwhile, the GES has announced a ban on lavish post-examination celebrations on school premises.

Under the directive, parents and guardians are prohibited from presenting expensive gifts such as motor vehicles and money bouquets to students on school campuses after they complete their secondary education.

GES said it had observed a growing trend of extravagant celebrations in schools and warned that such practices create visible social and economic divisions among students.

The service stressed that schools should promote equality, merit and personal effort rather than financial privilege.

It further cautioned that heads of schools who allow such celebrations on their campuses will face sanctions.

GES called on parents, guardians and other stakeholders to support the directive and help maintain discipline and equality within educational institutions.