The Ministry of Education has clarified that French, Arabic and Chinese will not be compulsory subjects under the proposed revised curriculum for basic schools, stressing that Ghanaian languages will remain the foundation of instruction in the early years of education.
The clarification follows public debate and what the Ministry described as misconceptions about the government’s proposed language policy for basic education.
In a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, Hashmin Mohammed, the Ministry explained that Ghanaian languages will serve as the primary medium of instruction from Kindergarten (KG) to Primary Three.
According to the Ministry, the policy is intended to improve children’s literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and overall cognitive development by allowing them to learn in a language they understand best during their formative years.
From Primary Four to Primary Six, teaching will be delivered in both Ghanaian languages and English to ensure a smooth transition to higher levels of education while maintaining learners’ proficiency in local languages.
The Ministry also dismissed claims that foreign languages have been made mandatory under the revised curriculum.
It said French, Arabic, Chinese and other foreign languages will remain optional and will only be offered in schools where qualified teachers and learning resources are available.
The Ministry noted that the proposed policy aligns with internationally recognised educational practices, which show that children learn more effectively when they begin schooling in their mother tongue before gradually transitioning to additional languages.
It added that the approach is expected to improve literacy outcomes, promote multilingualism and help preserve Ghana’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
The Ministry urged parents, teachers, school authorities, media organisations and the public to disregard reports suggesting that foreign languages have been made compulsory in the revised curriculum.
