The Ghana Education Service (GES) has released the harmonised 2025/26 school prospectus, listing every personal and school item required for day students and boarding students nationwide. The single-document approach is meant to bring uniformity to school admissions and reduce confusion over what each school can demand.
Table of Contents
- GES 2025/26 school prospectus for day students
- GES 2025/26 school prospectus for boarding students
- Important notice from GES
- Frequently asked questions
- Can a school require items not on the GES 2025/26 school prospectus?
- Does the prospectus apply to private SHSs?
- What if I cannot afford every item before reporting day?
GES 2025/26 school prospectus for day students
Personal items:
- 1 mathematical set and scientific calculator
- Decent sandals (school-specific, no embellishment)
- Decent sneakers (black or white)
- 1 school bag
Items for school (choose one group):
- Group 1: a pair of hard hand gloves, 5 litres of liquid soap, 1kg washing powder
- Group 2: 1 small-size bleach, 1 dust pan, 1 long-handle broom, 1 scrubbing brush
- Group 3: 1 standing mop and mop bucket, 1 duster, 1 short local broom
GES 2025/26 school prospectus for boarding students
Personal items:
- Hard body suitcase or trunk
- Chop box (wooden or plastic)
- Drinking cup, plate, and cutlery
- Toiletries: deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, pomade, sanitary pads for girls
- Decent sandals, leather slippers, sneakers, socks (school-specific, no embellishment)
- 1 set of pyjamas / sleepwear
- Underwear (school-specific quantities)
- 1 plastic bucket with cover and pail
- RSV / NIV Bible, Quran, or hymn book (school-specific)
- Mathematical set and scientific calculator
- 1 school bag, mosquito net, blanket, sleeping cloth
- White trousers / skirt, white dress (for ladies), 2 white shirts, khaki trousers (school-specific)
- Mattress (if not provided by the school)
- Checked dresses where applicable, belt and shoes in school-specific colour
- 1 hoe or cutlass
Items for school (choose one group):
- Group 1: a pair of hard hand gloves, 5 litres of liquid soap, 1kg washing powder
- Group 2: 1 small-size bleach, 1 dust pan, 1 long-handle broom, 1 scrubbing brush
- Group 3: 1 standing mop and mop bucket, 1 duster, 1 short local broom
Important notice from GES
GES strongly advises that all personal belongings must be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name to avoid loss, theft, or mix-ups. The release, signed by Daniel Fenyi, PRO of GES, is part of ongoing efforts to bring uniformity and transparency to school admissions across Ghana.
Frequently asked questions
Can a school require items not on the GES 2025/26 school prospectus?
Schools may add items where the prospectus says “school-specific,” for example a particular shoe colour or a specific number of underwear pieces. Schools should not, however, add entirely new categories of items that aren’t reflected in the harmonised list.
Does the prospectus apply to private SHSs?
The GES prospectus is intended for public Senior High Schools. Private schools usually publish their own prospectus, which can differ.
What if I cannot afford every item before reporting day?
Most schools accept students reporting with the core required items first and will give time for the rest to be brought later. Speak to the school office or housemaster on arrival rather than delaying reporting.
For more SHS-related guidance, see our coverage of the 2025 SHS placement release and our General News topic.
