The GES Harmonized Prospectus for the 2026/2027 academic year provides a standardised checklist of items required for students preparing to enrol in Senior High School (SHS) and Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in Ghana.

For parents, guardians and prospective students, the prospectus is particularly useful because it answers one of the most important questions following SHS placement:

“What items does the student need to take to school?”

The 2026/2027 National Harmonised Prospectus covers requirements for both boarding and day students, as well as a separate list of items for school.

The boarding list includes clothing, toiletries, bedding, academic materials, personal effects and other items needed for students living on campus. Day students have a shorter list because they do not ordinarily require residential items.

Parents and students should also note that some requirements are marked school specific, particularly certain colours, footwear and other school-related items. The specific instructions of the admitting school should therefore be checked before purchases are made.

What Is the GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027?

The GES Harmonized Prospectus is a national guide outlining the essential items expected of newly admitted SHS/SHTS students.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the prospectus is divided into three main areas:

• Items for Boarding Students
• Items for Day Students
• Items for School

The harmonised approach is intended to provide parents and students with a clear and consistent preparation guide ahead of enrolment.

The prospectus does not mean that every student must purchase every item listed. The applicable list depends on whether the student is a boarding or day student, while some items depend on the requirements of the particular school.

GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027 for Boarding Students

Boarding students have the most comprehensive requirements because they will be living within the school environment.

The official 2026/2027 GES boarding prospectus includes personal, academic, clothing, bedding, hygiene and residential items.

The following is the complete list shown in the attached National Harmonised Prospectus.

1. Hard Body Suitcase or Trunk

Boarding students are required to have a hard body suitcase or trunk for carrying and storing their belongings.

2. Chop Box

The prospectus requires:

• 1 wooden or plastic chop box

This can be used for storing personal items.

3. Drinking Cup, Plate and Cutlery

Each boarding student should have:

• 1 drinking cup, plastic or stainless steel
• 1 plate
• A set of cutlery

4. Toiletries

The boarding prospectus includes the following toiletries:

• 1 deodorant
• 1 pack of toilet roll
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Soap
• Pomade
• 2 packs of sanitary pads for girls

These items form part of the student’s basic personal hygiene supplies.

5. Decent Sandals

Students should provide:

• Decent sandals
• School specific
• No embellishment

Parents should confirm the approved school colour before purchasing school-specific sandals.

6. Leather Slippers

The prospectus requires:

• A pair of leather slippers
• School specific

7. Decent Sneakers

Boarding students should have:

• Decent sneakers
• Black or white

8. Socks

The list includes:

• 2 pairs of socks
• School specific

9. Pyjamas/Sleepwear

Each boarding student should have:

• 1 pair of pyjamas/sleepwear

10. Underwear

The prospectus provides separate requirements for boys and girls.

For girls:

• 5 pants
• 3 vests

For boys:

• 3 boxer shorts or pants
• 3 singlets

11. Plastic Bucket With Cover and Pail

Boarding students should provide:

• 1 plastic bucket with cover and pail

12. Bible/Quran and Hymn Book

The prospectus lists:

• RSV/NIV Bible or Quran
• Hymn book for Christians
• School specific

Students should follow the religious and school-specific instructions applicable to their institution.

13. Pillow

The boarding list includes:

• 1 pillow

14. Bedsheets and Pillow Cases

Students are required to provide:

• 2 students’ bedsheets
• 2 pillow cases
• Plain white

15. Blanket and Sleeping Cloth

The list includes:

• 1 blanket
• 1 sleeping cloth

16. Khaki Trousers

Boarding students should provide:

• A pair of khaki trousers

17. White Trousers

The prospectus requires:

• A pair of white trousers, or school specific

18. White Dress for Ladies

Female students should provide:

• White dress for ladies

19. White Shirts

The prospectus specifies:

• 2 white shirts
  • 1 short sleeve
  • 1 long sleeve

20. Student-Size Mosquito Net

Boarding students are required to have:

• 1 student’s-size mosquito net

21. School Bag

The list includes:

• 1 school bag

22. Mathematical Set and Scientific Calculator

Students should have:

• 1 mathematical set
• 1 scientific calculator

These are important academic materials for SHS/SHTS students.

23. Checked Dresses

The prospectus includes:

• 2 checked dresses, where applicable

The requirement may depend on the school.

24. Student Mattress

Boarding students should provide:

• Student mattress

Parents should confirm the school’s specifications before purchasing a mattress.

25. School Shoes

The list includes:

• Shoes in the school-specific colour

26. School Belt

Students should provide:

• Belt in the school-specific colour

27. Hoe/Cutlass

The boarding prospectus includes:

• 1 hoe/cutlass

28. Mosquito Repellent

Students should have:

• Med Shea Organic Mosquito Repellent

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GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027 for Day Students

The GES 2026/2027 day student prospectus contains fewer requirements because day students do not ordinarily reside in school accommodation.

The official list shown in the prospectus includes:

1. Mathematical Set and Scientific Calculator

• 1 mathematical set and scientific calculator

2. Decent Sandals

• Decent sandals
• School specific
• No embellishment

3. Decent Sneakers

• Decent sneakers
• Black or white

4. School Bag

• 1 school bag

These are the specific items listed under Items for Day Students in the 2026/2027 National Harmonised Prospectus.

GES 2026/2027 Items for School

In addition to personal requirements, the National Harmonised Prospectus contains a separate section titled Items for School.

Students are required to buy items from any one of the following three groups.

This means students should not automatically purchase all three groups.

Group 1 – School Cleaning Supplies

Group 1 contains:

• A pair of hand gloves (hard)
• Liquid soap — 5 litres
• Washing powdered soap — 1 kg

Group 2 – School Cleaning Supplies

Group 2 contains:

• 1 bleach (small size)
• 1 dust pan
• 1 long-handle broom
• 1 scrubbing brush

Group 3 – School Cleaning Supplies

Group 3 contains:

• 1 standing mop and mop bucket
• 1 duster
• 1 short local broom

Parents and students should establish which group is applicable or preferred before purchasing the school items.

Complete GES Prospectus 2026/2027 Checklist

The following checklist makes it easier for parents and guardians to prepare a newly admitted student.

Boarding Student Checklist

Personal Storage

• ☐ Hard body suitcase or trunk
• ☐ Wooden/plastic chop box

Eating Items

• ☐ Drinking cup
• ☐ Plate
• ☐ Set of cutlery

Toiletries

• ☐ Deodorant
• ☐ Toilet roll
• ☐ Toothpaste
• ☐ Toothbrush
• ☐ Soap
• ☐ Pomade
• ☐ 2 packs of sanitary pads for girls

Footwear

• ☐ Decent school-specific sandals
• ☐ Pair of leather slippers
• ☐ Decent black or white sneakers
• ☐ 2 pairs of school-specific socks
• ☐ School-specific shoes

Clothing

• ☐ 1 pair of pyjamas/sleepwear
• ☐ Underwear
• ☐ Pair of khaki trousers
• ☐ Pair of white trousers
• ☐ White dress for ladies
• ☐ 2 white shirts
• ☐ 2 checked dresses, where applicable
• ☐ School-specific belt

Bedding and Sleeping Items

• ☐ Pillow
• ☐ 2 plain-white bedsheets
• ☐ 2 pillow cases
• ☐ Blanket
• ☐ Sleeping cloth
• ☐ Student mattress
• ☐ Student-size mosquito net

Academic and Other Items

• ☐ School bag
• ☐ Mathematical set
• ☐ Scientific calculator
• ☐ RSV/NIV Bible or Quran, where applicable
• ☐ Hymn book for Christians, where applicable
• ☐ Hoe/cutlass
• ☐ Med Shea Organic Mosquito Repellent
• ☐ Plastic bucket with cover and pail

Day Student Checklist

Day students should prepare:

• ☐ 1 mathematical set and scientific calculator
• ☐ Decent school-specific sandals without embellishment
• ☐ Decent black or white sneakers
• ☐ 1 school bag

The day-student list is significantly shorter than the boarding list because residential requirements are not included.

What Is the Difference Between Boarding and Day Student Requirements?

The main difference is the student’s accommodation status.

Boarding students live within the school and therefore need additional items for:

• Sleeping
• Personal hygiene
• Storage
• Eating
• Clothing
• Residential life

Day students return home after school and therefore require fewer personal and residential items.

For example, the 2026/2027 boarding list contains items such as a mattress, pillow, bedsheets, blanket, sleeping cloth, mosquito net, bucket and toiletries, while these do not appear on the day-student list.

Parents should therefore avoid buying the complete boarding prospectus for a student who has been admitted as a day student unless the school specifically requests additional items.

School-Specific Items in the GES Prospectus

One of the most important things parents should understand about the GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027 is the phrase “school specific.”

Some items are not intended to have one universal specification across every SHS/SHTS.

The attached prospectus identifies school-specific requirements for items such as:

• Sandals
• Leather slippers
• Socks
• Shoes
• Belts
• White trousers
• Religious books
• Certain clothing requirements

Parents should therefore confirm the exact colour, design or specification from the student’s school before making purchases.

This can help prevent situations where a student buys an item that does not meet the school’s requirements.

How Parents Should Prepare for SHS Admission

The prospectus can be used as a practical preparation guide.

Step 1: Confirm the Student’s School

Parents should first confirm the student’s final school placement.

This is particularly important before buying school-specific uniforms, footwear, belts and other items.

Step 2: Confirm Boarding or Day Status

The parent or guardian should establish whether the student has been admitted as:

• A boarding student; or
• A day student.

The two categories have different prospectus requirements.

Step 3: Check the School-Specific Requirements

Items identified as school specific should be confirmed with the relevant school.

Step 4: Buy the Applicable Personal Items

Parents can then work through the prospectus checklist and purchase the required items.

Step 5: Choose One School-Item Group

For the Items for School, students are required to purchase items from any one of Group 1, Group 2 or Group 3.

Step 6: Label Personal Belongings

The prospectus carries an important note:

“All personal items should be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name.”

Parents should therefore ensure that the student’s personal belongings are properly identified.

Why Students Should Label Their Personal Items

Boarding students may share dormitories and common spaces with many other students.

Clearly identifying personal belongings can therefore make it easier to distinguish items such as:

• Clothing
• Bags
• Bedding
• Shoes
• Personal-care items
• Other belongings

The 2026/2027 GES prospectus specifically advises that all personal items should be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name.

This requirement should not be overlooked when preparing for admission.

GES Prospectus and SHS School Placement

The prospectus is primarily a preparation guide, while school placement determines the institution the student will attend.

Parents should therefore confirm placement before purchasing school-specific items.

For placement-related information, a CSSPS school placement guide can help parents understand the placement process.

Where applicable, candidates can also consult a CSSPS self-placement guide for information about the self-placement process.

The distinction is important because a student should not purchase a complete set of school-specific clothing for a school that has not yet been confirmed.

GES Prospectus and SHS Admission Process

The prospectus should also be distinguished from the student’s admission documents.

The prospectus tells the student what items to prepare, while the admission process concerns the student’s placement and enrolment at the school.

Parents may need to keep admission-related documents separately from physical school items.

Admission Preparation

This may involve:

• Placement information
• Admission letter
• Required school forms
• Identification documents
• Passport photographs
• Other documents requested by the school

Physical School Preparation

This includes:

• Uniforms
• Footwear
• Academic materials
• Toiletries
• Bedding
• Personal items
• Cleaning materials

For information relating to the admission process, parents can consult the Ghana SHS Admission Student Portal guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027

What is the GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027?

The GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027 is a standardised list of items for prospective SHS/SHTS students entering the 2026/2027 academic year.

Who needs the GES 2026/2027 prospectus?

It is particularly useful for newly admitted SHS/SHTS students, their parents and guardians as they prepare for enrolment.

What is included in the GES boarding prospectus 2026/2027?

The boarding list includes clothing, footwear, toiletries, bedding, academic materials, personal effects, a mosquito net, mattress, bucket, chop box and other residential requirements.

What is included in the GES day student prospectus 2026/2027?

The day student list contains:

• Mathematical set and scientific calculator
• Decent sandals
• Decent sneakers
• School bag

Do boarding students need a mattress?

Yes. A student mattress is included in the 2026/2027 boarding prospectus.

Do boarding students need bedsheets?

Yes. The prospectus requires 2 students’ bedsheets with 2 pillow cases, plain white.

Do boarding students need a mosquito net?

Yes. The prospectus lists a student-size mosquito net.

Do day students need a mattress or bedsheets?

These residential items are not listed under the 2026/2027 day-student requirements.

Do students have to buy all three school-item groups?

No. Students are required to purchase items from any one of the three groups.

What is in Group 1 of the GES school items?

Group 1 consists of:

• A pair of hard hand gloves
• 5 litres of liquid soap
• 1 kg of washing powdered soap

What is in Group 2?

Group 2 consists of:

• Small-size bleach
• Dust pan
• Long-handle broom
• Scrubbing brush

What is in Group 3?

Group 3 consists of:

• Standing mop and mop bucket
• Duster
• Short local broom

Are the sandals and shoes the same for every SHS?

Not necessarily. The prospectus identifies several footwear requirements as school specific. Parents should confirm the requirements of the particular school.

Do students need a scientific calculator?

Yes. A scientific calculator is included in the requirements for both boarding and day students.

Should students put their names on their belongings?

Yes. The prospectus states that all personal items should be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name.

Final Word on the GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027

The GES Harmonized Prospectus 2026/2027 provides parents, guardians and prospective students with a practical guide for preparing for SHS and SHTS admission in Ghana.

The requirements are separated into boarding student items, day student items and school items, making it easier for families to determine what applies to each student.

Boarding students have a more extensive list covering bedding, clothing, toiletries, footwear, academic materials, residential supplies and other personal effects. Day students have a shorter list focused on essential academic materials, footwear and a school bag.

Parents should pay particular attention to items marked school specific and confirm the exact requirements of the admitting school before purchasing them.

For the Items for School, the prospectus provides three groups, with students required to select any one group.

Most importantly, personal belongings should be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name, as stated in the prospectus.

The GES Harmonised Prospectus for SHS/SHTS freshers can also serve as a useful reference point for parents following the SHS admission process.

Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org