Omanghana
The Ministry of Education has dismissed reports suggesting that foreign languages have been made compulsory under Ghana’s revised basic school curriculum.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 2, 2026, the ministry clarified that French, Arabic and Chinese would remain optional subjects for pupils.
The statement, signed by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, was released to address public concerns and debate surrounding the country’s updated basic education framework.
According to the ministry, Ghanaian languages will serve as the principal medium of instruction from kindergarten to Primary Three.
The policy is intended to help young learners build foundational literacy, critical-thinking and cognitive skills in languages they understand and communicate in effectively.
From Primary Four to Primary Six, schools will adopt a bilingual approach, with English and Ghanaian languages used for teaching and learning.
The arrangement is designed to provide pupils with a gradual transition towards higher levels of education, where English becomes more prominent as the language of instruction.
The ministry emphasized that French, Arabic and Chinese would be offered strictly as elective subjects for pupils interested in acquiring additional language skills.
However, the availability of the optional languages will depend on whether individual schools have qualified teachers, appropriate learning materials and the necessary instructional resources.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said the revised curriculum is intended to strengthen foundational learning while providing children with practical skills relevant to a rapidly changing world.
Beyond language instruction, the updated framework introduces artificial intelligence literacy, coding, digital citizenship and technology ethics.
Citizenship education and ethics have also been included to promote civic responsibility, national values and responsible participation in society.
The revisions are expected to prepare pupils for a technology-driven future while improving their understanding of their cultural and national identity.
The Ghana Education Service has been directed to complete the final phase of preparations to ensure schools transition smoothly to the revised curriculum.
The Ministry of Education urged parents, teachers and the public to disregard claims that pupils would be compelled to study all three foreign languages.
It assured stakeholders that additional languages would remain optional and would be introduced only in schools capable of supporting their effective teaching.
Source: Omanghana
