NaSIA, NaCCA warn schools against use of unapproved textbooks
The National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), has directed all pre-tertiary educational institutions to desist from using unapproved textbooks and instructional materials.
The Schools Inspectorate Authority and the Council for Curriculum and Assessment warning follows observations that some schools are engaging in the use of teaching resources that have not been approved by NaCCA.
The call against the use of unapproved textbooks was contained in a directive jointly signed by the Director-General of NaSIA, Professor Salifu Tahiru Azeko, and NaCCA’s Director-General, Professor Yayra Dzakadie.
According to these regulatory bodies, the use of unapproved materials at the pre-tertiary level contravenes national education policies and undermines the quality of teaching and learning in private and public schools.
They emphasised that all pre-tertiary institutions, both public and private, must use only textbooks and instructional resources that had been sanctioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
“These approved materials had been developed through rigorous review processes to ensure alignment with Ghana’s national curriculum standards,” the Inspectorate Authority and Curriculum Council explained.
The regulatory bodies have therefore called on various private and government pre-tertiary schools across the country to procure and use only National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) approved teaching and learning resources.
The regulatory bodies reminded heads of institutions that they were responsible for ensuring strict compliance with this requirement and thus encouraged to conduct periodic audits of all instructional materials used in their schools.
It further urged parents and guardians to verify whether their wards’ schools were adhering to the directive, advising that they should report any cases of non-compliance to the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA).
They called for collective vigilance and responsibility among school authorities, educators, and families to maintain the integrity and standard of education.
In a related development, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has approve the literature book titled The Beacon of Light, authored by Joshlyn Yayra Diabo, Adam Ankrah, Bryte Okrah, and Lucas Zanyoh as the prescribed literature text for Junior High Schools across the country.
In a social media post sighted by Pretertiary.com, it said an additional resource, The Beacon of Light Commentary, authored by Victoria Stevens, Dr. Jemima Larteley Mensah and Very Rev. Ebo Ephraim that accompanies the book has been approved.
“It also comes to replace the Cock Crow, which has been in use for over 15 years – compelling examiners to repeat test items and has time-worn in content as far as the Standard-based Curriculum is concerned
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are confident that The Beacon of Light will significantly improve the quality of education in schools
Therefore, the Beacon of Light should be studied as part of the English Language Curriculum. Teachers preparing learners and learners preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2027 (Learners in JHS 1 for the 2024/2025 academic year)should note that The Beacon of Light will be examined,” NaCCA said in the post.
