MoE discloses date to roll out new second-cycle school curriculum

The Ministry of Education says it will soon roll out the new second-cycle school curriculum to cover Senior High School (SHS), Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) across the country.

In a press statement sighted by Pretertiary.com, it said the new second-cycle school curriculum developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will start when Senior High Schools open in November 2024.

The statement said the new curriculum has been designed with three primary outcomes:

It aims to equip learners with essential 21st-century skills, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the demands of modern life.  

It lays the groundwork for learners to pursue further education by providing them with a strong academic foundation. 

Additionally, the curriculum is focused on preparing learners for the world of work, instilling in them the competencies and character qualities needed to thrive in their future careers and contribute positively to society.

Ultimately, the curriculum will prepare learners to live responsible adult lives, further their education and enter the world of work.

“Furthermore, intervention programmes in Mathematics and English have been introduced to support students who may need additional help in these core subjects,” it noted

A significant shift in the approach to assessment is another highlight of the curriculum. The new assessment methods are more focused on learners’ holistic development, moving away from traditional exam-based evaluations to more comprehensive approaches that assess critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities.”

With the comprehensive planning and wide-reaching objectives of the new curriculum, Ghana’s education system is set for a transformative change that will better prepare learners for the demands of the modern world while grounding them in the values that are key to the country’s development,” the Education Ministry statement noted.

Beginning this month (2024/2025 academic year), the new secondary education curriculum is expected to redefine the future of education in the country by nurturing critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities.

“The new curriculum is very transformative and designed to shape the next generation of Ghanaian leaders. The new curriculum is not just an update but a groundbreaking shift towards equipping learners with the essential skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced modern world.

At the heart of the curriculum lies a commitment to nurturing critical thinking, fostering creativity, and honing problem-solving abilities,” the Director-General of NaCCA, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, said speaking about the curriculum

He said that this was the first time that Ghana had developed a Senior High School Curriculum that focused on Shared Ghanaian values, attempting to educate a generation of Ghanaian youth who would love and be proud of our country as well as contribute effectively and efficiently towards its development.

“The curriculum implementation will commence at the beginning of the 2024/2025 academic year, and it is expected to redefine the future of Ghana’s education,” the National Curriculum Council Director stated.