The Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) is pushing for the inclusion of a mandatory agriculture course for all first-year students in senior high schools (SHS) in Ghana.
The proposed course aims to integrate agricultural education into the Ghana Education Service (GES) SHS curriculum as a basic subject for freshers.
According to EduWatch’s Executive Director, Mr. Kofi Asare, the proposal is still in draft form and subject to parliamentary approval.
“Eduwatch will be engaging the MoE on among others, the possibility of making agriculture a one year foundational course for all SHS 1 students. As indicated earlier, what we have is a draft, subject to cabinet approval before implementation later in the year,” Kofi Asare revealed in a social media post.
This move comes as the new Senior High School Curriculum undergoes a pilot program in approximately 30 second-cycle schools.
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EduWatch believes that introducing an agriculture course to the SHS curriculum will not only enhance students’ understanding of the subject but also improve their practical knowledge and skills in agriculture.
Meanwhile, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) is overseeing the piloting of the new curriculum.
Two schools, Okuapeman Senior High School and Mampong Senior Technical School, are actively participating in the pilot program.
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The feedback and responses from these schools will inform the final adjustments and enhancements before the curriculum is rolled out nationally.
Mr. Reginald Quartey, the head of the Curriculum Directorate at NaCCA, explained that the new SHS curriculum will address not only academic aspects, but also social, emotional, and behavioral issues, along with national educational values.
“The goal is to produce well-rounded individuals prepared for the modern job market,” Quartey said
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The curriculum development process has involved stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all learners.