Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the government has not approved any policy requiring Arabic and Chinese to be taught in all public schools across Ghana.
The clarification follows public discussions about plans to diversify foreign-language education in the country. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had been associated with proposals exploring the teaching of languages such as French, Arabic and Chinese to equip students with broader international communication skills.
Speaking at the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in the Upper West Region, President Mahama said no proposal for the nationwide introduction of Arabic and Chinese had received Cabinet approval.
He questioned the practicality of expanding the public-school curriculum to include Chinese at a time when Ghana continues to face difficulties in adequately resourcing the teaching of French.
The president noted that improving French-language education should remain a priority because Ghana shares borders with French-speaking countries, including Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
Mahama also explained that Arabic has been taught for decades in some English-Arabic and Islamic community schools. He stressed, however, that this existing arrangement should not be interpreted as a new government directive making Arabic compulsory throughout the public-school system.
Some political commentators and media reports portrayed the president’s intervention as a public rejection of his education minister’s position. Others described it in sensational terms suggesting a disagreement within the administration.
Government representatives, however, maintained that the president’s comments were intended to correct public misconceptions and distinguish preliminary discussions from an officially approved national policy.
They explained that proposals may be considered by ministries and stakeholders, but they do not become government policy until they have passed through the required consultations and received Cabinet approval.
The clarification has renewed debate about Ghana’s language-education priorities, particularly the need to strengthen French instruction while considering other languages that could improve students’ academic and employment prospects internationally.
Source: Omanghana
