The SHS/TVET school prospectus provides a practical checklist of the items students may need when entering Senior High School (SHS), Senior High Technical School (SHTS) or a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution.
For parents and guardians, the prospectus is particularly useful because it helps answer one of the most common questions after placement:
“What does the student need to take to school?”
The requirements can cover several areas, including school clothing, footwear, academic materials, personal effects, toiletries, bedding, cleaning materials and other items required for life at school.
The exact requirements can depend on whether the student is a boarding or day student, as well as the school and programme involved.
A national or harmonised prospectus can provide a general framework, while schools may communicate additional instructions relating to their specific uniforms, colours, footwear, programmes or facilities.
The previously published GES harmonised prospectus for SHS/SHTS freshers provides a useful reference for the standard categories of items required for newly admitted students.
What Is an SHS/TVET School Prospectus?
An SHS/TVET prospectus is essentially a list of items required or recommended for students entering second-cycle education.
It is designed to help students arrive at school properly prepared for academic work and, where applicable, boarding life.
A prospectus can contain requirements under categories such as:
- Student personal items
- School uniforms
- Footwear
- Academic materials
- Bedding
- Toiletries
- Cleaning materials
- Residential items
- Identification and admission documents
- Programme-specific materials
The requirements for a boarding student will naturally be different from those of a day student because boarders live within the school environment.
Ghana SHS/TVET Boarding Prospectus
Boarding students generally have the most comprehensive prospectus because they require items for both school and residential life.
Previous harmonised GES prospectuses have included items such as:
- Hard-body suitcase or trunk
- Chop box
- Drinking cup
- Plate
- Cutlery
- Toiletries
- Approved sandals
- Leather slippers
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Pyjamas or sleepwear
- Underwear
- Plastic bucket
- Pail
- Pillow
- Bedsheets
- Pillowcases
- Blanket
- Sleeping cloth
- Mosquito net
- School bag
- Mathematical set
- Scientific calculator
The detailed GES prospectus for SHS/TVET boarding students provides a useful reference for these categories.
SHS Boarding Bedding Requirements
Boarding students normally need bedding because they live in school accommodation.
Previously published requirements have included:
- Pillow
- Mackintosh covering
- Plain white bedsheets
- Pillowcases
- Blanket
- Sleeping cloth
- Mosquito net
The SHS harmonised boarding prospectus provides the detailed list used for a previous academic year.
A mattress may also be required where the school does not provide one.
Parents should therefore establish whether the assigned school provides mattresses before purchasing one.
SHS Boarding Clothing Requirements
Boarding students may be required to provide several categories of approved clothing.
These can include:
School Uniform
- School shirts
- School trousers
- School dresses
- Khaki clothing
- School-specific clothing
Casual and Residential Clothing
- Pyjamas or sleepwear
- Underwear
- Approved after-class clothing
- Tracksuit where required
Footwear
- Approved school sandals
- Leather slippers
- Black or white sneakers
- School-specific shoes
- Socks
The school’s approved specifications should take priority, particularly where uniforms, shoes, colours or school crests are involved.
SHS/TVET Boarding Toiletries and Personal Items
Boarding students also need personal-care products.
A typical prospectus may include:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Bathing soap
- Deodorant
- Tissue/toilet roll
- Pomade
- Sanitary pads where applicable
- Handkerchiefs
- Hangers
- Other personal hygiene items
The previously published GES prospectus includes these types of personal requirements.
Parents should purchase reasonable quantities rather than assuming that every item must be bought in bulk.
SHS/TVET Boarding Cleaning Materials
Cleaning materials are another important part of the prospectus.
The harmonised boarding prospectus has previously divided school cleaning supplies into groups.
Cleaning Group 1
- Hard hand gloves
- Liquid soap
- Washing powder
Cleaning Group 2
- Bleach
- Dustpan
- Long-handle broom
- Scrubbing brush
Cleaning Group 3
- Standing mop
- Mop bucket
- Duster
- Short local broom
Students may be assigned one of the groups rather than being expected to purchase every item listed across all groups.
The 2025/2026 SHS boarding harmonised prospectus provides the previous detailed breakdown.
Ghana SHS/TVET Day Student Prospectus
Day students generally have fewer residential requirements because they do not sleep at school.
Their prospectus is therefore usually focused on academic materials, clothing, footwear, personal items and school cleaning requirements.
Previously published harmonised requirements have included:
- Mathematical set
- Scientific calculator
- School bag
- Approved sandals
- Black or white sneakers
- Other school-approved materials
- Cleaning supplies
The GES harmonised prospectus for SHS day students provides a useful example of the day-student requirements.
Items Day Students Generally Do Not Need
Because day students do not ordinarily live in school accommodation, they generally do not need residential items such as:
- Bedsheets
- Pillow
- Blanket
- Sleeping cloth
- Mosquito net
- Boarding trunk
- Chop box
- Mattress
However, the final requirements remain subject to the instructions applicable to the student’s school.
SHS/TVET Academic Materials
Academic materials are important for both boarding and day students.
Common requirements can include:
- Mathematical set
- Scientific calculator
- Exercise books
- Pens
- Pencils
- Ruler
- Graph book where applicable
- School bag
- Other programme-specific materials
The GES harmonised prospectus for SHS/SHTS freshers includes a mathematical set, scientific calculator and school bag among the previously specified student requirements.
SHS/TVET School Uniform and Clothing Requirements
Uniform requirements can vary significantly between schools.
A student’s prospectus may specify:
- School shirt
- School trousers
- School dress
- Khaki
- School cloth
- Tracksuit
- Ceremonial clothing
- Sportswear
- Approved shoes
- Approved sandals
- Socks
- Belt
Parents should not assume that the uniform of one school applies to another.
This is particularly important for students placed into schools with distinctive colours, designs or traditional uniforms.
TVET School Prospectus Requirements
TVET students require special consideration because TVET programmes can involve practical, technical and vocational training.
The general student requirements may be similar to those for SHS students, but individual TVET programmes can have additional requirements.
For example, a programme involving workshop or practical activities may require specific equipment or materials.
Parents should therefore distinguish between:
General SHS/TVET requirements
and
Programme-specific TVET requirements.
A generic prospectus should not be used as a substitute for specific instructions issued by the institution or programme.
SHS/TVET Prospectus for Boys and Girls
Some prospectus requirements apply to all students, while others are specific to boys or girls.
Common Requirements
These may include:
- School bag
- Mathematical set
- Scientific calculator
- Approved footwear
- School uniform
- Toiletries
- Cleaning materials
- Bedding for boarding students
Requirements Commonly Listed for Girls
Previous prospectuses have included:
- Sanitary pads
- Female underwear
- Approved dresses
- Other female personal-care products
Requirements Commonly Listed for Boys
Previous lists have included:
- Khaki trousers
- White trousers
- White shirts
- Boxer shorts or equivalent underwear
- Approved belts
- Black shoes
The applicable school prospectus should always be used for the final requirements.
SHS/TVET Prospectus and Admission Documents
The prospectus should not be confused with the student’s admission documents.
After placement, students may have to complete the applicable admission process and obtain their admission documentation.
The Ghana SHS Admission Student Portal provides information on the admission process, including placement checking, voucher redemption, online admission and admission-letter download.
Parents should therefore prepare two separate things:
Admission Documents
- Placement information
- Admission letter
- Identification documents
- Passport photographs
- Other required school forms
Physical School Items
- Uniforms
- Academic materials
- Toiletries
- Bedding where applicable
- Footwear
- Cleaning materials
- Personal effects
Keeping these categories separate makes preparation much easier.
SHS/TVET Prospectus and CSSPS Placement
Parents should confirm the student’s school, programme and residential status before purchasing school-specific items.
The CSSPS placement guide provides information on checking placement.
Where a candidate is not automatically matched, the CSSPS self-placement process becomes relevant for eligible candidates seeking an available school and programme.
This is important because purchasing a school-specific uniform before confirming placement can result in unnecessary expenses.
Complete SHS/TVET Prospectus Checklist
The following provides a practical evergreen checklist based on categories used in previous GES prospectuses.
Admission and Identification
☐ Admission letter
☐ CSSPS placement information
☐ Birth certificate or applicable identification
☐ Ghana Card/National ID where applicable
☐ Passport photographs
☐ NHIS card where required
☐ Completed admission forms
Academic Items
☐ Mathematical set
☐ Scientific calculator
☐ Exercise books
☐ Pens and pencils
☐ Ruler
☐ Graph book where applicable
☐ School bag
☐ Programme-specific materials
Boarding Items
☐ Suitcase/trunk
☐ Chop box
☐ Plate
☐ Drinking cup
☐ Cutlery
☐ Bucket
☐ Pail
☐ Pillow
☐ Bedsheets
☐ Pillowcases
☐ Blanket
☐ Sleeping cloth
☐ Mosquito net
☐ Toiletries
Clothing and Footwear
☐ School uniform
☐ Khaki where required
☐ School cloth where required
☐ Sportswear
☐ Approved sandals
☐ Approved shoes
☐ Sneakers
☐ Socks
☐ Underwear
☐ Sleepwear
Cleaning Materials
☐ Hand gloves
☐ Liquid soap
☐ Washing powder
☐ Bleach where required
☐ Dustpan
☐ Broom
☐ Scrubbing brush
☐ Mop
☐ Mop bucket
☐ Duster
Are SHS and TVET Prospectus Requirements the Same?
Not necessarily.
There are many requirements that can apply broadly to SHS, SHTS and TVET students, but programme and institutional requirements can differ.
A student entering a general academic programme may not need the same practical materials as a student entering a technical or vocational programme.
Similarly, a boarding student requires residential items that a day student does not.
The safest approach is therefore to use the prospectus as a general preparation framework and then confirm any school- or programme-specific requirements.
How to Prepare for SHS/TVET Admission
Parents can make the process easier by following a logical sequence.
Step 1: Confirm Placement
First, confirm the student’s CSSPS placement and ensure that the school and programme are correct.
Step 2: Confirm Residential Status
Determine whether the student has been admitted as a boarder or day student.
Step 3: Complete Admission
Complete the applicable admission process and obtain the admission letter.
Step 4: Get the Applicable Prospectus
Use the relevant SHS/TVET prospectus for the student’s category.
Step 5: Separate General and School-Specific Items
Do not purchase school-specific uniforms or equipment until the school has been confirmed.
Step 6: Label Personal Items
Previous GES prospectus guidance has required personal items to be embossed or embroidered with the student’s name for identification.
Step 7: Check for Programme-Specific Requirements
TVET and practical programmes may have additional requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an SHS/TVET prospectus?
It is a list of items students may need when entering Senior High School, Senior High Technical School or a TVET institution.
What does an SHS boarding prospectus contain?
It can include school uniforms, academic materials, bedding, toiletries, footwear, personal effects, cleaning materials and other boarding essentials.
What does an SHS day student prospectus contain?
It generally focuses on academic materials, uniforms, footwear, personal effects and cleaning supplies rather than residential items.
Do TVET students have a different prospectus?
Some requirements may be shared across SHS/TVET students, but TVET programmes can have additional programme-specific requirements.
Do boarding students need a trunk?
A hard-body suitcase or trunk has appeared in previous GES boarding prospectus requirements.
Do boarding students need bedding?
Yes, previous boarding prospectuses have included bedsheets, pillowcases, pillows, blankets and sleeping cloth.
Do day students need bedding?
Generally, no, because day students do not ordinarily live in school accommodation.
Do SHS students need a scientific calculator?
A scientific calculator has been included in previous harmonised GES prospectus requirements.
Do students need a school bag?
A school bag has appeared among previous harmonised requirements for SHS students.
Should parents buy everything on an old prospectus?
Parents should use older prospectuses as reference material, not assume that every historical item remains applicable to every school or academic year.
Where can the SHS/TVET prospectus be checked?
The most useful GESHub resources include the SHS/SHTS harmonised prospectus, the SHS/TVET boarding prospectus and the SHS/TVET day-student prospectus.
Final Word
The SHS/TVET school prospectus is an essential preparation guide for students transitioning into Ghana’s second-cycle education system.
Whether a student is entering an SHS, SHTS or TVET institution, understanding the required items helps parents plan ahead and avoid last-minute difficulties.
The most important distinction is between boarding and day students. Boarders generally need additional residential items such as bedding, a trunk, toiletries and other personal effects, while day students have a considerably lighter list.
Students should also distinguish between general prospectus requirements and school- or programme-specific requirements. This is particularly important for TVET students whose practical programmes may involve additional materials.
The prospectus should also be considered separately from the admission process. Students first need to establish their placement and complete the applicable admission procedures before preparing school-specific items.
For placement-related information, the CSSPS placement guide and CSSPS self-placement guide are useful resources.
For admission, students can refer to the Ghana SHS Admission Student Portal.
And for prospectus preparation, the GES harmonised SHS/SHTS prospectus remains a useful reference for understanding the major categories of items students may need.
The key is to use the prospectus as a preparation checklist, while confirming the specific requirements applicable to the student’s school, programme and residential status.
Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org
