Ghana Approves Revised Basic School Curriculum with New Language Policy

The Ministry of Education has approved a revised national curriculum aimed at improving learning outcomes at the basic education level through changes in language instruction and additional learning opportunities.

Under the new curriculum, the use of Ghanaian languages as the medium of instruction will become compulsory from Kindergarten to Primary Three, with the policy designed to help pupils better understand lessons, strengthen literacy skills and develop critical thinking from an early stage.

The revision follows engagements with education stakeholders and a review process led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to ensure that the basic school curriculum reflects Ghana’s educational needs.

The updated curriculum also introduces opportunities for pupils to learn additional foreign languages, including Chinese and French, to help improve global competitiveness. According to NaCCA, the inclusion of Chinese is linked to Ghana’s growing economic relationship with China and is intended to provide learners with broader opportunities.

NaCCA Director General Professor Samuel Awuku explained that Chinese would be offered as an option for students interested in learning the language due to China’s role as one of Ghana’s major trading partners.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, said while English remains Ghana’s official language of instruction, greater emphasis will be placed on local languages during the early years of education to support effective learning.

The Ghana Education Service has been directed to review the revised curriculum and prepare it for implementation, with measures to ensure quality assurance and a smooth transition in classrooms.