The National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has endorsed the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service (GES) directive banning extravagant graduation ceremonies in pre-tertiary schools, describing the move as necessary to restore the core purpose of education.

In a statement, the Council said the directive was not aimed at preventing celebrations but at ensuring that schools remain focused on learning, discipline, character formation and the development of responsible citizens.

According to the NCPTA, the growing trend of lavish graduation ceremonies, particularly at the kindergarten and primary levels, promotes materialism and shifts attention away from the values schools are meant to instil.

The Council argued that excessive displays associated with such events risk encouraging entitlement among children rather than humility, responsibility and service.

As part of its recommendations, the NCPTA proposed that graduation ceremonies be limited to terminal classes, including JHS 3, SHS 3, SHTS 3 and TVET Level 3 students.

It also called for ceremonies to be held in school uniforms during school hours, with an end to the use of graduation gowns, commercial vendors and additional charges beyond approved PTA dues.

The Council further suggested that schools replace pageantry with activities such as cultural displays, religious readings, Ghanaian proverbs and demonstrations of technical and vocational skills.

The NCPTA urged schools, PTAs, GES, TVET institutions and community leaders to review existing graduation practices to ensure they align with national education policies and Ghanaian values.

It also encouraged parents to invest resources in educational materials, apprenticeships and counselling services rather than elaborate graduation celebrations.

The statement was signed by the General Secretary of the NCPTA, Gapson Kofi Raphael.