The Ministry of Education in Ghana, through its agencies—the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES)—has announced its readiness to roll out a new curriculum for Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs nationwide. This initiative is set to commence when schools reopen this month, marking a significant shift in the educational landscape of the country.
Over the past two years, NaCCA has been meticulously planning this curriculum overhaul, collaborating closely with GES and engaging more than 300 experts across various fields. This collaborative effort has resulted in a robust curriculum aimed at meeting the evolving needs of students and equipping them for the challenges of modern life.
A cornerstone of the new curriculum is its focus on teacher preparation. Weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions are being organized to ensure educators are well-equipped to implement the curriculum effectively. Furthermore, comprehensive teacher manuals aligning with the new curriculum have been developed in partnership with various subject associations, providing educators with essential resources to guide their teaching.
The new curriculum is anchored in three primary objectives:
- Equipping Learners with 21st-Century Skills: The curriculum aims to prepare students for the demands of modern life by instilling essential skills that will serve them in various spheres.
- Strong Academic Foundation: It seeks to provide a solid academic groundwork for further education, ensuring learners are well-prepared for higher studies.
- Workplace Readiness: The curriculum focuses on developing competencies and character qualities that will enable students to thrive in their future careers and contribute positively to society.
An exciting aspect of the new curriculum is its emphasis on Shared Ghanaian values, promoting a sense of pride and responsibility in students while encouraging them to appreciate the nation’s rich cultural heritage. The curriculum offers flexible learning pathways, allowing students to select subjects that align with their interests and career aspirations. Additionally, intervention programs in Mathematics and English have been introduced to support students who may require extra help in these crucial subjects.
A notable shift in assessment methods is also a key highlight of the new curriculum. The revised approach prioritizes holistic development, moving away from traditional exam-based evaluations to more comprehensive assessments that measure critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, Director-General of NaCCA, expressed the transformative nature of the new curriculum, stating, “The new curriculum is very transformative and designed to shape the next generation of Ghanaian leaders. It is a groundbreaking shift towards equipping learners with essential skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced modern world.”
He emphasized that this is the first time Ghana has developed a Senior High School curriculum focused on Shared Ghanaian values, aiming to cultivate a generation of youth who are not only proud of their country but also committed to its development.
With the implementation of this comprehensive curriculum set to commence at the start of the 2024/25 academic year, Ghana’s education system stands poised for a transformative change, one that promises to better prepare students for the demands of the modern world while grounding them in the values critical to the country’s progress.
