Education · Godfred Anku Kaali

Foreign languages will not be compulsory in new Basic School curriculum – Education Minister Clarifies

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has clarified that government has no intention of making foreign languages such as Arabic and Chinese compulsory in schools, explaining that the curriculum review seeks to introduce them at the upper primary level as optional subjects for pupils to choose from.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at preparing Ghanaian pupils to become global learners by equipping them with additional language skills needed in an increasingly interconnected world.

Mr. Iddrisu said reports suggesting that government intends to make the learning of foreign languages mandatory are inaccurate and a misrepresentation of the facts.

He noted that the revised curriculum is currently before the Ghana Education Service (GES) for for review and recommendations ahead of implementation.

The Minister made the remarks at the 68th Anniversary Speech and Prize-Giving Day celebration of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary, POJOSS, held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

Mr. Iddrisu disclosed that 7,000 teachers will be recruited and posted by August 30 this year. He added that the recruitment portal will be reopened on November 15 for the engagement of an additional 8,000 teachers, targeting graduates from the 2023 cohort, followed by another recruitment exercise for graduates from the 2024 cohort of teacher trainees.

He added that 15 second-cycle schools in the Eastern Region, including POJOSS, are set to benefit from the US$300 million World Bank loan facility aimed at expanding secondary education infrastructure. 

The Minister of Education, together with some government appointees and school authorities, toured some of the school’s dormitory facilities to assess their condition firsthand.