FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 June 2026
Educate Africa Institute (EAI) Supports Suspension of Senior High School Graduation Ceremonies
The Executive Director of the Educate Africa Institute (EAI), Mr. William Boadi, has expressed support for the Ministry of Education’s decision to suspend graduation ceremonies in Senior High Schools across the country.
According to Mr. Boadi, while graduation ceremonies are intended to celebrate academic achievements, recent developments have transformed such occasions into platforms for excessive display of wealth and unhealthy competition among students and parents.
“Education should promote excellence, humility, and equal opportunities, not social class divisions and unnecessary pressure on families. The increasing trend of expensive outfits, luxury cars, and lavish gifts being presented to students creates an atmosphere of unhealthy competition, an inferiority complex, and social exclusion for students from less privileged backgrounds,” he stated.
Mr. Boadi noted that many parents are now under economic pressure to meet unnecessary expectations associated with graduation ceremonies. In contrast, the primary responsibility of parents should be to regularly visit their wards, provide educational support, and contribute positively to their academic development.
He further emphasized that resources and attention should be directed towards improving the welfare and motivation of teachers, who remain central to the delivery of quality education.
“It is disheartening that some parents are purchasing expensive cars and other luxury items as graduation gifts while many schools continue to face challenges, and teachers require greater motivation and support. Education should not be reduced to a competition of wealth,” he added.
The Educate Africa Institute believes that academic success should be celebrated in modest and meaningful ways that promote discipline, inclusiveness, and equality among students, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds.
EAI therefore commends the Ministry of Education for taking steps aimed at preserving the true purpose of education and calls on parents, school authorities, and other stakeholders to prioritize character formation, academic excellence, and the overall well-being of learners over extravagant ceremonies.
Signed
William Boadi
Executive Director
Educate Africa Institute (EAI)
Education and Social Justice
0541935106