President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that no new policy introducing Chinese or Arabic as subjects in Ghana’s basic school curriculum has been approved by Cabinet.
His comments follow public discussions over a proposed revised curriculum developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) for Kindergarten to Primary Six.
The revised curriculum is designed to strengthen foundational learning while equipping pupils with 21st-century skills, values and ethical principles.
NaCCA Proposes 13 Subject Areas
The proposed revised basic education curriculum focuses on 13 subject areas intended to improve learning outcomes and prepare Ghanaian children for future academic and professional opportunities.
The subjects listed for primary education include Ghanaian Language, English Language, Chinese, Arabic, French, Religious and Moral Education, Mathematics, Physical Education and Health, Creative Arts, Citizenship Education, Computing and Science (Agriculture).
The revised curriculum was presented to Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu in Accra on July 22, 2026, by NaCCA Director-General Professor Samuel Ofori Bekoe, who led the committee responsible for reviewing the curriculum.
Following the presentation, the Education Minister directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to review the proposed curriculum and ensure that it meets required quality standards before any implementation.
Chinese, Arabic and French Not Compulsory
Amid concerns over the proposed inclusion of foreign languages, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu previously clarified that Chinese, Arabic and French would not be compulsory subjects under the proposed basic school curriculum.
According to the Minister, the foreign languages would be offered as optional subjects at the upper primary level, while English and Ghanaian languages would remain central to classroom instruction.
Mahama Says Cabinet Has Not Approved New Curriculum
However, President Mahama has now stressed that no new curriculum changing the subjects taught in Ghanaian schools has received Cabinet approval.
Speaking during a Citizens’ Engagement in Wa on Saturday, September 12, as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region, the President said any major changes to the school curriculum must first be considered and approved by Cabinet.
President Mahama explained that, as Chairman of Cabinet, he was aware that no such policy had been approved.
He therefore urged the public to disregard claims suggesting that Chinese and Arabic have officially been introduced into Ghana’s school curriculum.
Mahama Questions Introduction of Chinese
The President also questioned the practicality of introducing Chinese into the basic education system, particularly given existing challenges with the teaching of French.
He noted that Ghana is surrounded by French-speaking countries, making French language education strategically important, but the country continues to face difficulties in recruiting enough French teachers.
President Mahama questioned how Ghana would secure qualified teachers to teach Chinese if the country is already struggling to provide sufficient teachers for French.
The President’s comments have added to the ongoing public discussion about the proposed NaCCA curriculum review, with attention now focused on whether and when the revised basic education curriculum will receive final government approval.
Until the required approval process is completed, the proposed changes should not be regarded as official education policy in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com