Welcome to Ghana, a country that prides itself on producing some of the finest educated scholars the globe has ever seen. The education system in Ghana has birthed the likes of many influential personalities such as: former UN Secretary General Busumuru Kofi Annan, acclaimed African playwright Efua Sutherland, Commonwealth Writers Award winner, poet and author Ama Ataa Aidoo, The first prime minister of the Land Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, NASA robotics engineer Ashitey Trebu-Ollenu, among others.
Every country prides itself on producing the finest human resources it can muster. Just as the education system in Ghana strives for excellence, at Green Views we pride ourselves of offering the best possible quality and materials, in order to keep our status as key players in the country’s real state sector. Well, think no further as we provide an insight into the Ghanaian education system.
Background of the education system in Ghana
Before the coming of the Europeans and subsequent colonization, education in Ghana was mainly informal and based on oral tradition and apprenticeship. However over the years of reforms, especially in 1987, the education system has had a 6+3+3+4 structure.
This means that the ward has to go through 6 years of Primary education, followed by 3 years of Junior high education, then an additional 3 years of senior high school education, then finally, 4 years or more at the university (depending on the programme being read).
Prior to 1987, the education system was modeled after the British education system and before getting to the tertiary level, one had to sit for the ‘O’ and “A” Levels. Later, politicians and the general public decided to have a Ghanaian Education System which metamorphosed into a West African system.
What is education like in Ghana
Primary Education
The constitution in Ghana demands that basic education be compulsory
In Ghana, children are required to attend school from the age of 6. The constitution of Ghana demands that basic education be compulsory. This is also the age at which they start primary education.
Usually, children are taken to kindergarten to develop their speech and motor skills as well as learn the basics or reading and writing. Primary education lasts for 6 years and consists of a 3-year lower primary phase and a 3-year upper primary phase.
During primary education, the curriculum places an emphasis on reading and writing, arithmetic and the development of problem-solving abilities. Pupils are taught subjects such as English and the regional indigenous language, arithmetic,
Integrated Science, music and dance, history, handicrafts and citizenship education. There is no certificate awarded upon completion and pupils are usually 12 years old upon completing primary education. The school year in primary education lasts 40 weeks.
Junior High Education
After completing primary education, the next phase of education is the junior high education where the child spends 3 additional years. The student, now a teenager is taught subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, Religious and Moral education, Basic Design and Technology, French among others.
They sit for the Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE) and earn a certificate upon a successful completion; after which they are placed in a Senior High School of their choice based on their performance using a Computerized School Placement System.
Senior High Education
During senior High education, pupils are taught English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Integrated Science. In addition to these subjects they can choose from a number of electives. These electives are followed in the specializations of agriculture, business, technology and trade, as well as general education (arts or sciences).
Senior High education is concluded with examinations for the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), which has since 2007 replaced the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSCE). These examinations are held by the West African Examinations Council, Ghana National Office.
To obtain the West African Senior School Certificate, pupils take exams in four compulsory subjects, namely English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Integrated Science. In addition, they must sit examinations in three or four electives (in the specializations listed above). This phase of education lasts for 3 years.
Tertiary/University Education
At the end of Senior High Education, pupils sit examinations for the West African Senior School Certificate. In order to be admitted to undergraduate programmes at Ghanaian universities, candidates must have obtained a pass in at least six subjects (three compulsory subjects and three electives) for the West African Senior School Certificate.
The maximum aggregate score must be of 24, or grade A1 to C6 in at least three core and three elective subjects, with an aggregate not exceeding 36. The aggregate score being the West Africa Examinations Council’s scoring system.
Depending on the chosen field of study, additional requirements may be imposed with regard to the electives for which the candidate must have passed.
Higher education is provided in Ghana by Technical colleges, public universities, colleges of education and theological colleges, private universities, business schools and tutorial colleges. The student may decide on a chosen programme (bachelors degree programmes, Higher National Diploma Programmes, Masters Degree Programmes).
Universities are entitled to confer their own degrees. However, private Universities are private institutions, affiliated to recognized degree-awarding Universities (State sponsored) which confer their degrees upon graduates of the University colleges.
Polytechnics in Ghana have been upgraded into Technical Universities which primarily provide higher technical and professional education programmes. All higher education institutions and their programmes are accredited by the National Accreditation Board.
In all earnest, Ghana has one of the best education systems on the continent of Africa, and has produced a plethora of famous individuals. There is also a wide variety of top tier international schools in Accra, that are amongst the best in the region.
So whenever you wonder what it would be like to enroll your child to have a formal education, we hope this article provides you with all the insight you need to make a good decision.
The Green Views community recognizes the hard work and excellence so many ghanaians put into their education. We invite you to come see for yourself our real estate project in Accra we’re so very proud of.
