The Ministry of Education has clarified that French, Arabic, Chinese and other foreign languages will not be compulsory subjects under the government’s proposed revised language policy for basic schools.
The clarification follows public concerns and misconceptions suggesting that the new curriculum would require pupils to study foreign languages alongside Ghanaian languages and English.
In a statement issued on August 2 by the Ministry’s Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, the Ministry said Ghanaian languages will remain central to instruction at the early stages of basic education.
Under the proposed policy, Ghanaian languages will be used as the primary medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Primary Three. The Ministry said the approach is intended to strengthen pupils’ foundational literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and cognitive development by allowing them to learn primarily in languages they understand best.
From Primary Four to Primary Six, instruction will be conducted in both Ghanaian languages and English.
The Ministry explained that the bilingual approach is aimed at making the transition to higher levels of education smoother, as English gradually assumes a more prominent role, while ensuring that pupils continue to develop proficiency in Ghanaian languages.
It also stressed that foreign languages such as French, Arabic and Chinese will be offered only as optional languages, rather than compulsory subjects.
According to the Ministry, pupils who are interested in acquiring additional language skills may study these languages, subject to the availability of qualified teachers and appropriate learning resources in their schools.
The Ministry said the proposed policy is therefore intended to strengthen the use of Ghanaian languages in the formative years while providing pupils with the opportunity to acquire additional languages based on their interests and the resources available to their schools.
