The New Patriotic Party has called on President John Dramani Mahama to either apologise to Ghanaians or dismiss Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu over the controversy surrounding the reported inclusion of Arabic and Chinese in the school curriculum. The party said the President denial has created a clear contradiction between the Presidency and the Education Ministry that requires immediate clarification to restore public confidence in education policy.
The NPP said reports that Arabic and Chinese were being introduced into basic schools triggered nationwide debate among parents, teachers and faith based school managers, only for President Mahama to publicly deny any such policy. The party argued that curriculum decisions cannot be announced and disowned within the same administration, warning that inconsistency undermines trust in the Ghana Education Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the entire Free SHS ecosystem.
In a statement issued in Accra, the party demanded accountability, insisting that either the President apologises for misinforming the public or the Education Minister is sanctioned for allegedly misrepresenting government policy. According to the New Patriotic Party, the contradiction exposes poor coordination at the highest level of government and creates confusion in classrooms at a time when teachers are preparing schemes of learning and lesson notes for the new academic term.
In Ghana education governance structure, curriculum review is led by NaCCA under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, with textbooks vetted, teachers trained through National Teaching Council programmes and implementation monitored by Ghana Education Service district directorates. Evergreen frameworks include the Standards Based Curriculum for KG to Primary 6, the Common Core Programme for JHS, and the WASSCE grading system by WAEC which determines Free SHS progression and CSSPS placement. Introduction of any foreign language requires policy approval, teacher supply planning, resource allocation and public stakeholder engagement under the Education Strategic Plan.
The NPP said failure to clarify the Arabic and Chinese matter will deepen suspicion that education policy is driven by external bilateral deals rather than national learning needs. The party is calling on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to summon the Education Minister to present the approved curriculum documents, disclose any memorandum of understanding with foreign partners and explain how teacher capacity will be built if new languages are to be introduced.
Stakeholders expect the Presidency and the Ministry of Education to issue a joint categorical statement, publish the current approved subject list for basic schools and outline the official position on Arabic and Chinese. Education watchers say swift clarity is critical to protect instructional time, prevent religious and cultural misinterpretation and maintain stability in schools as BECE and WASSCE candidates prepare for external examinations under the Free SHS policy.
Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu
