Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has called on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to implement Ghana's reviewed Kindergarten (KG) and primary school curriculum through a deliberate, adequately resourced, and phased approach. The education policy think tank welcomed the curriculum review, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen foundational learning, citizenship education, multilingualism, and competency-based learning.
Eduwatch stated that the revised curriculum could improve learning outcomes. It aims to shift classroom practices from rote memorization towards critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. This move is crucial for developing well-rounded students ready for future challenges.
This initiative fits into Ghana's broader educational reform efforts, which have consistently sought to enhance the quality of basic education. Previous curriculum reforms, such as the 2019 changes, faced implementation bottlenecks despite similar objectives. Addressing these persistent issues is vital for the current review's success and for Ghana's human capital development goals.
“Although these objectives underpinned the 2019 curriculum reform, persistent implementation bottlenecks limited their achievement. The current review must therefore be accompanied by deliberate measures to address those constraints,” Eduwatch stated. The organization emphasized that a well-designed curriculum alone cannot guarantee improved learning outcomes without proper preparation and support.
The success of the curriculum will depend on several key factors. These include comprehensive teacher training on competency-based teaching methods and task-based assessment. Availability of adequate teaching and learning materials is also critical. Institutional capacity, sustainable financing, and effective implementation support are equally important for the reform to achieve its goals.
Eduwatch noted the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s (NaCCA) recommendation for a phased nationwide rollout from the 2027/2028 academic year. However, the think tank stressed that implementation should be based on demonstrated readiness rather than a fixed timeline. This flexible approach allows for adjustments and improvements as the rollout progresses.
The organization recommends that the Ministry of Education develop and publish a costed Curriculum Implementation Readiness Plan. This plan should include clearly defined activities, institutional responsibilities, timelines, financing requirements, and measurable readiness benchmarks. Such a plan would provide a clear roadmap for the reform.
Key conditions for nationwide implementation include comprehensive teacher training and stakeholder orientation. Provision of adequate teaching and learning materials is essential. A strong monitoring and accountability framework must also be in place to track progress and address challenges effectively. These elements are fundamental for a successful transition.
Eduwatch also called for continuous feedback mechanisms to identify challenges during implementation and ensure timely adjustments. This adaptive approach is crucial for refining strategies. The organization urged the government to provide NaCCA with the necessary financial, technical, and human resources to oversee the reform effectively.
A phased approach would allow the government to test implementation arrangements in selected schools. This pilot phase would help identify challenges, strengthen capacity, and refine strategies before expanding nationwide. This method minimizes risks associated with a broad, immediate rollout.
“Curriculum reform is a sustained implementation process rather than a one-off event,” Eduwatch said. Without prepared teachers, sufficient resources, effective coordination, and robust monitoring systems, even a well-designed curriculum may fail to achieve its intended objectives. Eduwatch reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Education, NaCCA, and the Ghana Education Service to ensure improved and equitable learning outcomes for Ghanaian children.