Art, Craft, Needlework reintroduced in basic school curriculum
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that, effective next academic year, the ministry will be reintroducing Art, Craft and Needlework into the educational curriculum for foundational learners across the country.
He indicated that the decision was part of a new policy initiative of the government’s broader curriculum reforms.
The minister made this known during an engagement with Home Economics teachers drawn from senior high schools (SHS) in the Eastern Region at Oyoko Methodist SHS in the New Juaben North Municipality last Tuesday.
Mr Iddrisu explained that the new policy decision aimed at improving foundational learning and, at the same time, enhancing the skill development of young students.
The initiative, the Minister said was part of the ongoing curriculum reforms aimed at enhancing creative skills and improving foundational education among children in basic schools.
He further explained that the new policy was therefore crucial in the preparation of children for the future that valued innovation and practical skills and knowledge acquisition.
"We believe that a holistic education goes beyond academic subjects and by introducing Art, Craft and Needlework, we will be providing the youngest learners with the right tools to develop their creative skills, critical thinking with a deeper appreciation for our cultural heritage", he indicated.
The minister further explained that the new policy was, therefore, crucial in the preparation of children for the future that valued innovation, practical skills and knowledge acquisition.
The reforms, Mr Iddrisu stated, had been designed to well-position and equip students with a good foundation focusing on literacy and numeracy, as well as incorporating the essential creative and practical abilities.
He gave an assurance that his ministry would be working with educators and other relevant stakeholders in the educational sector for the smooth implementation of the new policy in basic schools throughout the country.
Practical hands on
The policy reforms, Mr Iddrisu stated formed part of a component of the government’s new education strategy which sought to blend academic learning with practical, hands-on experience, ensuring students were not only proficient in literacy and numeracy, but also capable of expressing themselves creatively and understanding practical life skills.
He gave the assurance that the ministry would be working with educators and other relevant stakeholders in educational sector for the smooth implementation of the new policy in basic schools throughout the country.
Welcome news
"The initiative has been welcomed by several education professionals, particularly those in the creative and technical disciplines, who see the move as a long-overdue investment in the well-rounded development of Ghana’s future workforce.Traditional Ghanaian craftsTraditional Ghanaian crafts.
"The reintroduction of Art, Craft, and Needlework comes amid ongoing efforts to reform Ghana’s education system to meet global standards while preserving national values and identity,” he explained.
Writer's email: haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh
