Don’t limit children to single academic path

Since 2017, when the Ministry of Education embarked on sweeping reforms aimed at improving teaching and learning outcomes, it has never looked back.

When the government announced some of the reforms, many were those who did not believe that they were doable, but the government, led by the sector Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku
Prempeh, stood its ground, and, today, a number of those policies are running, albeit with some teething challenges.

One of those reforms is the redefinition of basic education as being from kindergarten to senior high school (SHS).

To ensure that the redefinition reflects the intent of the reform, there is the need for a curriculum review. For instance, the new curriculum has moved from teacher-centred to learner-centred and activity-based, with emphasis on the teacher as a moderator.

In September 2019, the Ghana Education Service (GES) rolled out a new curriculum known as the Standard-based Curriculum developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) that focused on learners from kindergarten to Primary Six.

Currently, the NaCCA, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, are fine-tuning a draft curriculum known as the Common Core Programme, which will be implemented progressively from JHS One until it covers the entire pre-tertiary system.

The new curriculum will focus on addressing the shortfalls in the current school system in relation to learning and assessment and promote better high school education that meets the varied learning needs of young people in the country.

It is sad that in this 21st century we still use a curriculum which focuses on preparing students to pass their examinations. In this time and age, we are no longer looking for graduates who will write and pass their examinations but those who are team players, problem solvers, critical thinkers, innovative and can communicate effectively to help solve many of our national problems.

The new curriculum, which is expected to be rolled out in September this year for Basic Seven (JHS One), will be centred on building character and nurturing values, in addition to ensuring a seamless progression for all learners from JHS to SHS and create clear pathways for academic and career-related programmes from Basic 11 (SHS Two) to Basic 12 (SHS Three).

Under the new curriculum, all students will study nine subjects until Basic 10 (SHS One), after which, they, with the help of their teachers and in consultation with parents, will decide whether to focus on academics or redirect their attention to career paths.

This is where the Daily Graphic calls on all stakeholders and experts in education to team up and make useful inputs, such that the final product is owned by all and not only NaCCA.

The Daily Graphic is particularly satisfied with the new curriculum because it makes room for those who would want to branch to career paths.

We all know that not everyone is academically inclined, and since our curriculum never makes room for such students, all of them have to go the academic way, thereby denying the nation quality talents and professionals.

There are many talented designers, craftsmen, artisans, musicians, footballers and business tycoons who wasted their time pursuing academics, most of whom, in many cases, do not become successful academically, by which time their talents would have been wasted.

We at the Daily Graphic believe that this is the time to create endless opportunities for our children by giving them the chance to identify their talents early enough to reach their potential.

Let us not continue to limit our children to that single academic path. There are many ways to help children to succeed in life, and one of them is identifying their potential and helping them to live it.

The Daily Graphic wishes to encourage NaCCA to do more consultation, seek ideas and adopt best practices where such a curriculum is used, such that when finally it is rolled out, it will be seen as a national document.