The Ghana Education Service (GES) issued a directive on September 18, 2026, telling Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools not to deny boarding accommodation to students who arrive with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes or other personal storage containers. The move follows reports that some schools have turned away newly admitted students or refused to house them because they lacked the specific type of container prescribed by individual schools.
In the letter addressed to Regional Directors, GES warned that such practices could impose unnecessary financial burdens on parents and guardians who may be unable to afford alternative storage solutions. The Service added that all admitted students should be treated fairly and not face discrimination based on their economic circumstances or their parents’ ability to purchase particular brands or types of personal effects.
Regional Directors were instructed to ensure that school heads stop turning away, refusing admission, or denying accommodation solely because of the type of trunk, chop box or personal storage container a student brings. The items must, however, be reasonably sized, safe and not pose a risk to the health, safety or welfare of other students.
GES also directed that any reported case of a duly admitted student being denied accommodation or turned away solely because of the type of storage container must be investigated and reported to Management. Heads of schools who flout the directive will be dealt with in accordance with applicable standards, regulations and laws of the Service.
