Ministry draws line on gender - Recognises only male, female to quell SHS curiculum controversy
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that there should be no ambiguity regarding the definition of the male and female genders in any educational literature in the country.
He said the ministry recognised only the biological definitions of these terms, which must be reflected in every publication, curriculum, and communication on educational matters.
“Every publication, curriculum, and communication from the Ministry must reflect the biological definitions of these terms,” he emphasised.
His comments followed the controversy regarding alleged LGBTQ-related content being introduced into the country’s Senior High School (SHS) curriculum.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of a two-day National Master Training on Essential Values for Ghanaians organised by the Ghana Education Service in Tamale yesterday, Mr Iddrisu insisted that the claims were “false and misleading.”
He explained that the mishap, which occurred in a viral document developed in 2024, did not reflect the position of the ministry.
Nonetheless, he said the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) had taken an urgent action to revise the Year Two Teacher Education Curriculum.
“NaCCA will ensure that all educational materials are clear, accurate, and standardised across all schools in the country. Our stance on using biological definitions is meant to eliminate confusion, promote uniformity, and ensure that all teaching and learning content aligns with national standards,” he added.
NaCCA’s response
Meanwhile, NaCCA has stated that the government had no intention to promote, endorse, or introduce Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) content at any level of the educational system.
"Our curriculum remains firmly anchored in the socio-cultural fabric of Ghana, Constitutional principles, and child-centred development goals.
"We are grateful for the continued support of the public as we take these responsible steps to ensure our educational resources remain a true reflection of our national identity," a statement signed and issued by the Director-General of NaCCA, Professor Samuel Osei O. Ofori Bekoe, stated.
The statement was in reaction to an alleged description of "gender" in an elective teacher manual for SHS curriculum on Physical Education and Health, which suggests that, in defining "gender," there is an alternative to male and female.
The alleged content has generated a public outburst, creating the impression that the government seeks to promote LGBTQ in the education system.
Training and discipline
The essential values training seeks to equip facilitators to prepare, train, and support school-level teams in implementing Value Learning Communities (VLCs) and the new Guidance and Counselling framework.
The event brought together selected guidance and counselling coordinators from across the country.
Mr Iddrisu said the training would help facilitators instil core values, discipline, and good behaviour among students, which were essential for fostering a productive learning environment.
“Discipline in schools is the foundation for academic excellence and moral development. Through these trainings, we aim to empower educators to guide students not just academically, but also in character and ethics,” he added.
He highlighted the ministry’s efforts to uphold national educational standards and ensure consistency in value-based learning and discipline across all schools.
Falsehood
The NaCCA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, dismissed allegations that LGBTQ-related content has been introduced into the country's SHS curriculum, insisting that the claims are false and misleading.
In the statement, the NaCCA stressed that “no such content exists within the approved national curriculum.”
"Our curriculum remains firmly anchored in the socio-cultural fabric of Ghana, Constitutional principles, and child-centred development goals.”
"We are grateful for the continued support of the public as we take these responsible steps to ensure our educational resources remain a true reflection of our national identity," the statement emphasised.
Distinctions
Giving a distinction between the curriculum and the teacher manuals, the statement clarified that the national curriculum and teacher support materials served distinct functions.
It explained that the curriculum was the official policy document defining the mandatory areas of study for learners.
"In contrast, Teacher Manuals are supplementary instructional resources designed to provide pedagogical guidance to teachers.
"These manuals do not constitute the curriculum itself, and their use is optional; teachers may deliver the approved curriculum without relying on these specific guides," the statement explained.
It said the development of the Secondary Education Curriculum was a dynamic process characterised by rigorous technical review and broad stakeholder consultation.
Milestones
Clarifying the various milestones, the statement explained that in the 2024/2025 academic year, a new curriculum was introduced at the SHS level.
"For the first time in the history of Ghana, a decision was taken for Teacher Manuals to be developed to aid teachers in the implementation of the new curriculum.”
"NaCCA, therefore, empanelled subject-specific writing teams, in collaboration with Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL), to develop the Manuals in 2024," it said.
It added that following a comprehensive internal review, NaCCA determined that the specific definition of "Gender Identity" contained within the Year 2 Physical Education and Health (Elective Teacher Manual) for SHSs was not reflective of Ghanaian culture, norms, and values.
"A revised version of the Year 2 Physical Education and Health (Elective Teacher Manual, aligned with national values and biological understanding) has been released, and it is accessible to the public and teachers at https://bit.ly/4jGMyyH," the statement added.
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