Ghana’s Ministry of Education is set to launch a groundbreaking curriculum reform across its Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS), and STEM-focused institutions.

Developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), this curriculum promises to reshape secondary education starting with the 2024/2025 academic year, aiming to equip students with essential skills, values, and a readiness for further education or the workforce.

The new curriculum’s design has been two years in the making, involving over 300 educational experts and stakeholders who provided insights to address the academic, social, and career-focused needs of the Ghanaian youth.

This extensive collaboration and input helped tailor the curriculum to offer pathways that reflect students’ interests and career aspirations, making the education system more adaptable and inclusive.

As the Ministry of Education prepares for this shift, a key focus in the curriculum rollout has been placed on teacher training. To ensure educators are well-prepared, the Ministry has organized ongoing Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions, where teachers collaborate to share best practices for implementing the curriculum effectively.

In addition to these training sessions, subject-specific teaching guides have been developed through partnerships with various educational associations, providing teachers with structured resources across all subjects.

At its core, the curriculum emphasizes three main goals: instilling modern skills, fostering cultural pride, and preparing students for the workplace. The curriculum introduces learning approaches that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are increasingly essential in today’s fast-paced world.

Alongside these competencies, the curriculum strengthens academic foundations across subjects, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education.

Equally important is the curriculum’s focus on career readiness, aimed to equip learners with practical knowledge and the resilience to navigate their future careers successfully.

A unique aspect of this curriculum is its strong emphasis on Ghanaian values, which seeks to cultivate a generation of students who appreciate the country’s heritage and identity.

By incorporating cultural pride and national responsibility, the curriculum encourages students to connect with their roots while looking ahead to contribute to Ghana’s growth.

The curriculum’s flexibility allows students to select subjects based on their career goals, while additional support programs in core areas like Mathematics and English assist students who may need extra help.

These targeted interventions underscore the Ministry’s commitment to providing equitable education that supports all learners, regardless of their starting point.

Traditional exam-based evaluations will be replaced with a more holistic assessment approach that considers each student’s development beyond academic performance.

With a focus on critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills, this shift in assessment aims to develop well-rounded individuals prepared for both life’s challenges and opportunities.

In discussing this initiative, NaCCA’s Director-General Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie described the curriculum as “a transformative approach that goes beyond updates, setting a new direction for Ghana’s education.”

According to Dzakadzie, this is the first curriculum of its kind in Ghana that weaves national values into the educational fabric, preparing students to appreciate and contribute positively to their country.

With these sweeping changes, Ghana’s secondary education system is poised for a significant transformation.

The new curriculum not only addresses practical skills needed in the modern world but also instills a sense of cultural pride, fostering future generations committed to building a stronger Ghana.