The National Secretary, Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools, Primus Baro has backed the directive restricting extravagant gifts for students after the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, describing the practice as harmful to the values schools seek to instil. He stated that the growing trend demands deeper reflection from parents and educational stakeholders.
Mr Baro explained that the conversation should focus on the intention behind the directive issued by the Minister of Education and the Director General of the Ghana Education Service. The National Secretary noted that the real issue extends punishment and rests on the message parents communicate through such gestures.
Discussing the matter, he questioned the wisdom of rewarding students before examination results are known. He argued that parents should first consider their children’s transition into tertiary education and the role schools played in building their development.
“If you give a child a flamboyant gift before results are even released, then the purpose of that reward becomes questionable. Motivation is supposed to inspire effort toward a goal and reward achievement after merit has been established. When that sequence is reversed, it encourages indulgence and distorts values. That practice does not build discipline in children.”
Mr Primus Baro
Embedded within his argument was a call for parents to reassess what truly benefits children at each stage of development. He stressed that responsible parenting requires deliberate choices that support long term growth and character formation.
Additionally, Mr Baro addressed suggestions that school heads knowingly permit such celebrations on campus. He clarified that while heads bear responsibility for school management, many incidents occur outside their direct knowledge.
The CHASS National Secretary remarked that school authorities should not be swiftly blamed for every occurrence within school environments. He added that several activities take place beyond the immediate awareness of administrators.
The emphasis, he said, should rest on improving guidance and strengthening compliance with the directive. Mr Baro affirmed that public secondary schools under CHASS have already begun discussions to ensure adherence.
He further appealed to private school operators to embrace the directive in good faith. He emphasised that the ban is reasonable and serves the best interests of students and the education sector.
School Vigilance Key as New Celebration Trend Emerges
The focus has shifted to school accountability and the emerging culture of extravagant celebrations following WASSCE completion. Mr Baro said the recent public debate has highlighted the need for stronger vigilance across schools.
Addressing criticism that school authorities ignored the trend for years, the CHASS National Secretary rejected that characterisation. He explained that the current scale of celebration is a recent development that gained momentum only in recent times.
Mr Baro noted that celebratory gestures traditionally involved simple expressions of joy from parents. He said activities such as hugs and family appreciation were common and carried little institutional risk.
He argued that the current trend represents a significant shift from those modest practices. The National Secretary added that the scale and visibility of lavish gifting has elevated the matter into a national discussion.
“This trend has gained serious momentum in recent times and that is why it now commands urgent attention. If it had reached this level earlier, school authorities would have detected it much sooner. The recent escalation has made vigilance essential.”
Mr Primus Baro
An integral section to his argument is that school leaders need collective support to address emerging behavioural patterns. He stressed that managing student welfare extends beyond administrative enforcement alone.
Moreover, Mr Baro explained that some incidents naturally unfold outside the immediate view of school management. He said this reality should inform public discourse on accountability within educational institutions.
Correspondingly, he indicated that CHASS members are already engaging internally on practical measures to curb the trend. Those discussions, he noted, are expected to shape a coordinated institutional response.
He also welcomed the decision by the Minister and the Director General to issue formal guidelines. In his view, clear operational guidance will help school leaders implement the directive more effectively.
“We must keep our eyes open and our ears on the ground as these practices begin to surface in our schools. Early intervention will help us discourage conduct that undermines discipline and student welfare.”
Mr Primus Baro
The National Secretary urged school leaders, parents and policymakers to work together in preserving discipline and educational values. He remarked that shared responsibility remains essential in protecting students from harmful social pressures.
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