The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has stated without mincing words that the Ghana Education Service (GES) has no business, authority, or mandate to dictate how private schools should conduct their affairs.
The Council maintains that it will continue holding graduation ceremonies despite a directive by the Greater Accra Regional Directorate of the GES banning such activities.
GNACOPS National Executive Director, Enoch Kwasi Gyetuah, argued that the GES lacks the legal authority to impose directives on private schools, insisting that private institutions do not fall under the administrative control of the service.
His comments follow the Greater Accra Regional Directorate of the GES announcing a ban on graduation ceremonies, prom nights, and similar events in both public and private schools. The directorate claimed the move was intended to promote discipline, equity, and child protection, while preventing undue financial burdens on parents and guardians.
However, Mr Gyetuah maintained that the directive simply does not apply to private schools.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that private schools have consistently celebrated graduation ceremonies in a harmonious environment, guided by directives issued by their own council.
He posited that the enactment of the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049) restructured oversight responsibilities within the education sector, stripping the GES of regulatory power over private entities.
“The rules of Ghana Education and the issuance of directives does not apply to private schools. Their directives only applies to schools under its care or management particularly public schools. You cannot issue directives or communique and expect the private schools to comply no matter how the situation is. You cannot extend your powers to areas where you don’t have powers,” he stated.
According to him, the legal boundaries are clear and should not be a subject of argument.
“We are not saying because we are private schools, we are above the law. We are directly under the authority of National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NASIA) which is also under the supervision of Ministry of Education. If that directive had come from them, we would have given it some attention. But GES has no mandate to issue that directive,” he added.
Mr Gyetuah concluded by stating that the GES cannot make unilateral decisions and expect private schools to obey them without any prior consultation.
