The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a fresh directive to Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) regarding the type of trunks, chop boxes and other storage containers students bring to school.
The directive is particularly important for parents preparing their wards for boarding school as the 2026/2027 academic year gets underway.
GES says schools should not turn away duly admitted students or deny them boarding accommodation simply because they arrived with a metal trunk, wooden chop box or another suitable personal storage container.
Students should not be rejected over the type of trunk
According to the GES, some reports have emerged of schools turning away newly admitted students or refusing to accommodate them because their parents had not purchased the particular type of trunk or storage container preferred by the school.
The Service has directed heads of schools to stop the practice.
A student who has been properly admitted to a boarding facility should be treated fairly, regardless of the economic circumstances of the student’s family or the type or brand of storage container purchased by the parents.
GES explained that the item should, however, be reasonably sized, safe and not create a risk to the health, safety or welfare of other students.
What this means for parents
The directive could provide some relief to parents who are preparing their children for SHS but may be struggling with the cost of school-related items.
Parents should therefore avoid feeling compelled to replace a suitable trunk or chop box simply because a school prefers a particular brand, material or design.
If the container meets reasonable safety and size requirements, the student should not be denied boarding accommodation solely because of the type of storage container.
Parents are still encouraged to follow the National Harmonised Prospectus and the specific requirements officially applicable to their child’s admission.
GES released the National Harmonised Prospectus for the 2026/2027 academic year to provide standard guidance on items required by SHS and SHTS students.
Schools have been directed to comply
GES has instructed its Regional Directors to communicate the directive to heads of SHSs and SHTSs in their respective regions.
The Service says any reported case in which a duly admitted student is denied accommodation or turned away solely because of the type of trunk, chop box or personal storage container brought to school should be investigated and reported to GES management.
School heads who fail to comply with the directive could face action under the applicable standards, regulations and laws governing the Service.
Parents should know their rights
The latest directive does not mean that schools cannot have reasonable rules concerning student belongings.
Schools can still require students to observe safety, hygiene and accommodation standards. However, GES has made it clear that a suitable storage container should not become a reason to deny an otherwise duly admitted student accommodation.
Parents who encounter difficulties should first seek clarification from the school authorities.
Where a student is allegedly turned away solely because of the type of trunk, chop box or storage container, the matter can be reported through the appropriate GES channels for investigation.
A timely reminder for SHS freshers
The directive comes as families across Ghana prepare for the admission of students into SHSs and SHTSs for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Parents are encouraged to prepare according to the official prospectus and avoid unnecessary purchases based solely on informal instructions.
Students should also report to school with their required documents and personal effects and comply with reasonable health and safety requirements.
The latest GES instruction is intended to help make the admission process more consistent and prevent families from facing unnecessary financial pressure during an already expensive period.
NoticeboardGH will continue to monitor official GES announcements and provide updates on SHS placement, admission requirements, prospectus items, school reporting dates and other important information for students and parents.
Source: Ghana Education Service statement reported by the Ghana News Agency.