MoE Moves To Silence Language Policy Controversy
Government says Ghanaian languages will remain the foundation of instruction in lower primary, dismissing claims that foreign languages have been made mandatory.
The Ministry of Education has moved to dispel growing public concern over the government’s proposed language of instruction policy for basic schools, clarifying that Ghanaian languages—not foreign languages—will remain the primary medium of instruction from Kindergarten (KG) to Primary Three under the revised curriculum. In a statement issued on Sunday August 2, the Ministry said recent public discussions had generated misconceptions about the role of foreign languages in the country’s education system, prompting the need for an official clarification.
According to the Ministry, the revised policy is designed to strengthen children’s foundational literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and overall cognitive development by ensuring that pupils begin learning in the language they understand best during their formative years. The statement explained that from Kindergarten to Primary Three, Ghanaian languages will serve as the principal language of instruction. From Primary Four to Primary Six, both Ghanaian languages and English will be used in the classroom under a bilingual approach intended to ease learners’ transition into higher levels of education, where English assumes a more prominent role while maintaining competence in indigenous languages.
The Ministry also rejected suggestions that foreign languages have been made compulsory under the revised curriculum. It clarified that languages such as French, Arabic and Chinese, among others, will only be offered as optional subjects for pupils wishing to acquire additional language skills. Their availability, the Ministry noted, will depend on the presence of qualified teachers and the learning resources available in individual schools.
The Ministry said the policy is informed by internationally accepted educational practices, which recognise that children learn more effectively when they begin their education in a familiar language before gradually transitioning to additional languages. It added that the approach is consistent with Ghana’s broader commitment to improving literacy outcomes, promoting multilingualism and preserving the country’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
Calling for calm, the Ministry urged parents, teachers, school authorities, media organisations and the general public to disregard misinformation suggesting that foreign languages have become compulsory under the proposed curriculum. The Ministry further reaffirmed its commitment to implementing evidence-based education policies aimed at improving learning outcomes and equipping every Ghanaian child with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
The clarification comes amid heightened public debate over proposed curriculum reforms, with education stakeholders closely monitoring government efforts to strengthen foundational learning while balancing the teaching of local and international languages in Ghana’s basic education system.
By: Joyce Owusu
