The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) has called on the Ministry of Education to strictly enforce its directive prohibiting extravagant displays and gift presentations during Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremonies.
The appeal comes amid growing public debate over the increasing trend of parents presenting costly gifts, including vehicles and money bouquets, to graduating students during school events.
The practice has generated mixed reactions, particularly on social media, where critics argue that it fuels unhealthy competition among students and places unnecessary pressure on parents.
Speaking to Citi News on Sunday, June 21, Executive Director of IFEST, Dr. Peter Anti, said the ministry must ensure that school authorities who fail to enforce the directive are sanctioned.
“What the managers of education have to do is just to set one or two examples. If you are a head or assistant and you allow this to happen in your school, and there is no evidence that you tried to prevent it, then you should be made to face the consequences,” he said.
According to Dr. Anti, holding school heads accountable for permitting such practices would serve as a deterrent and help ensure compliance with the directive across the education sector.
He further called on the Ministry of Education to broaden its public education efforts by engaging parents through Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings.
“I think the ministry should go a step further to have this discussion during PTA meetings for the parents to know,” he added.
The Ministry of Education recently directed schools to discourage lavish gift presentations and other extravagant displays during graduation ceremonies, stressing that such events should remain modest and focused on celebrating students’ academic achievements rather than material displays.
