The day that was once the most anticipated day on the school calendar, the day filled with laughter, juice boxes, and paper baskets of colour, has become a war zone of outrage. As basic schools across the country officially end the term on Thursday, July 23, 2026, social media has exploded into a heated debate. A wave of mounting allegations from frustrated parents claiming that the once beloved end-of-term “Our Day” tradition has been hijacked and turned into financial extortion.
For decades in Ghanaian culture, showing gratitude to educators was simple but spontaneous and heart-driven. But recent claims paint a vastly different picture of today’s classrooms where direct solicitations are used. According to reports monitored on social media, parents now report receiving direct messages and phone calls from teachers nudging them to fund end-of-term “appreciation packages.” Some of the requests have reportedly ballooned from small tokens of appreciation to high-ticket items, including home appliances such as microwaves and substantial cash demands.
The situation has pushed parents, especially those with wards in private schools, into a corner, fearing their kids will be embarrassed or treated differently if they go to school empty-handed. “Our Day” then and now The controversy stands in stark contrast to the memories of older generations. Gone are the days when ‘Our Day’ meant excitement, laughter, and sharing, not expectations.
Growing up, while living with my late grandmother, my school was just behind our house. I could easily read between the lines when classes were about to begin. I would quickly prepare myself and rush off to school, eager to join my friends.
Those were our “Syto” days in public schools. Our biggest excitement back then was not about buying gifts for teachers; the real deal lay in “Our Day” celebrations. Going to school with biscuits, drinks, and food packed in beautifully decorated baskets covered with white cloth was the ish of the day.
“When I was in primary school, our biggest excitement was not about buying gifts for teachers. We looked forward to bringing biscuits, drinks, and food packed in beautifully decorated baskets covered with white cloth. No parent was forced, and no child felt embarrassed.” Pupils brought small tokens like drinks or biscuits in a…
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