Highlights of the new educational reforms in Ghana

With the implementation of the new Common Core Programme, the educational system in Ghana is set to see a major revamp. The following are highlights of the new educational reforms:

1. Kindergarten, primary school, JHS and SHS shall all be described as Basic School. JHS 1, 2, 3 and SHS 1 shall now be referred as BS 7,8,9 and 10 respectively i. e. SHS 1 shall now be called BS 10.
2. All students in JHS 1 – SHS 1 shall run a Common Core Programme called CCP which comprises of 9 subjects; namely – Maths, Languages, Science, RME (stand alone subject), Physical and Health Education (not examinable) , Career Technology, Social Studies, Computing and Creative Art and Design.
3. A new system of examination called National Standard Assessment Test (NSAT) shall be conducted at Primary 2, 4, 6 and JHS 2.
4. BECE shall be replaced by placement exams at JHS 3 to enroll students into SHS1.
5. Students in SHS1 shall continue to run the common core programme for one year; Thus students entering SHS1 shall not select science, busines or arts programmes.
6. At the end of SHS1, Students shall write a Common Core Exams into SHS 2.
7. At SHS 2, students will now have to select either a career related programme which include, vocational and technical programmes or a high school Diploma programmes such as science, busines, arts.
8. This means Elective subjects shall start in SHS 2.
9. Wassce will be replaced by a university entrance exams at SHS3.
10. Students after successful completion of SHS 3 will be rewarded a Diploma Certificate instead of WASSCE certificate.

It is also worth noting that there has been a major adjustment in the methodology used in the classroom as it is now geared towards research and projects.

The education system will be more of research, community engagement, projects with fewer contents.

Also, Computer Literacy is one of the major focus of this programme as all educational stakeholders must be in good position to provide adequate I.T. facilities for students

In addition, Science at the basic level comprises physical and applied science which involves more of demonstrative features. It is sectioned into the following:

1. Diversity of matter
2. Cycle
3. System
4. Forces and Energy
5. Human and Environment

With these reforms, you would notice that some of the Science topics from the SHS have been pushed to the basic level. Hence there would be the need to recruit skilled personnel to handle these topics.

concepts in the SHS syllabus have been pushed down to prepare students for their electives in SHS 2.