Ghanaian basic schools would soon begin studying coding, artificial intelligence (AI), electronics and civic ethics under a revised national curriculum aimed at equipping young learners with digital and technological skills for the future.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the planned reforms during the Government Accountability Series press briefing in Accra on Monday, describing the curriculum overhaul as a major step towards transforming basic education and preparing Ghanaian children for a rapidly evolving digital economy.
According to the minister, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has completed work on the revised curriculum, which will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education before proceeding to President John Dramani Mahama, Cabinet and Parliament for the necessary approvals.
Mr Iddrisu said the revised framework, described as a “Smart Start Curriculum” is designed to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education from the kindergarten to the junior high school level while also nurturing ethical values and responsible citizenship.
“We have promised to introduce coding, electronics, artificial intelligence and pivot into the basic education curriculum,” the minister stated during the briefing. He explained that the reform reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghanaian children develop the digital competencies needed to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Beyond technology-focused subjects, the revised curriculum is expected to introduce civic ethics, with greater emphasis on integrity, civic responsibility and the prudent use of public resources. The minister said these values are essential for producing responsible citizens capable of contributing positively to national development.
Mr Iddrisu noted that the curriculum review forms part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning basic education as the cornerstone of Ghana’s educational system.
He argued that while significant investments have been made in secondary education over the years, basic education-which lays the foundation for literacy, numeracy and critical thinking, has not received the same level of attention.
According to him, strengthening education at the foundational level is critical because the skills acquired during a child’s early years determine future academic performance and lifelong learning outcomes.
The minister clarified that the curriculum review did not emerge unexpectedly. He recalled announcing government’s intention to integrate artificial intelligence, robotics, coding and electronics into the basic education system during a Digital Education Conference held in Accra in June this year.
Since that announcement, he said, the National Curriculum Review Committee has completed its assignment, paving the way for the revised curriculum to enter the government’s approval process.If approved by Cabinet, the document will be presented to Parliament before implementation begins across schools nationwide.
Although the policy direction has now been outlined, Mr Iddrisu did not indicate when the revised curriculum would be rolled out or provide details on the implementation strategy.
He also did not explain how teachers would be trained and equipped to teach emerging subjects such as coding, artificial intelligence and electronics, raising questions about teacher capacity, learning resources and infrastructure required to support the reform.
Education experts have consistently argued that the successful introduction of digital subjects at the basic school level will depend on substantial investment in teacher training, reliable internet connectivity, modern teaching materials and computer laboratories, particularly in underserved rural communities.
In addition to outlining the curriculum reforms, Mr Iddrisu used the briefing to provide updates on the payment of capitation grants and government initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive education.
However, he described the curriculum overhaul as the Ministry of Education’s most significant achievement over the past 16 months, expressing confidence that it would modernise Ghana’s education system and better prepare learners for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Ministry of Education is yet to publish the full revised curriculum or release a comprehensive implementation roadmap, leaving stakeholders awaiting further details on timelines, teacher preparation and the practical rollout of one of the country’s most ambitious education reforms in recent years.
Philbert Amiba Ayuusah.