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Arabic to be made compulsory
Starting next fall, Arabic will become a compulsory subject for SHS students. President Mahama’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, announced the change at a campaign event with the Muslim Community of Nsawam Zongo. Debrah briefly explained: “from 2017 Senior High School students will study Arabic like they do in the English language and we will introduce it at the basic level in 2018 and make it examinable.” Debrah did clarify that Arabic teachers were currently being trained at the Wenchi Teacher Training College. Unsurprisingly, the move has left a lot of Ghanaians scratching their heads. For one, it seems that students already have enough trouble with the local languages, so adding another linguisitic burden seems misguided. Moreover, the initiative appears at odds with the more resounding calls for increased STEM education. In fairness, it would pay to hold back judgement until we get more facts, as some within the Mahama administration have already stated that Debrah misspoke. Hopefully, we’ll know more next week.
Constant education review
Former President John Kufour is encouraging the adoption of a regular review of Ghana’s education system. Speaking at an event in Accra, Kufour said reviewing the education system is necessary “because of technological improvements and advancement. Don’t let us throw out what we have but let’s keep reviewing it in the light of technological advancement coming and also with the opening up of the world.”
Assurance from the campaign trail
Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur gave assurance that if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is reelected in December, it would continue providing development to the rural areas. Speaking more broadly on the subject, the VP said the NDC was determined to achieve regional balance in terms of development initiatives and appeared to make a gesture of good faith by establishing an office block for the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Amenfi East District.
Busgate
A Northern Region court has confiscated a student bus and a headmistresses’ official vehicle as the culmination of a peculiar legal saga. In short, the GES neglected to pay a controversial former headmaster whom they tried, unsuccessfully, to fire. In 2013, a court ruled that the late former headmaster receive full and immediate payments of all outstanding arrears. Three years later, the payments are still outstanding, so the court has confiscated some of its assets. The confiscation has stalled activities, and school authorities have had to rent vehicles for particular events. Understandably, the actions of the court have outraged many in the community who are wondering why their school is being punished for something that GES did.
Uplifting podcast
There was a fascinating interview this week with Patrick Awuah, an American-educated Ghanaian who returned home to start a university. After enjoying quite a successful career at Microsoft, Awuah wanted to make a difference in his home country: “he soon realized that what was most needed back home was access to a broad-based, liberal arts education—one that emphasized ethics and leadership.” In 2002, he founded Ashesi University based on the idea that the rote learning approach was stifling innovation and national progress. Ashesi has come a far way since its humble beginning in 2002—it now has a permanent campus and serves nearly 800 students. (Podcast provided in link—interview with Awuah starts about 9 minutes in… For those who want to hear more from Awuah, he also appeared on a GeekWire podcast—busy week!).
Also…
NPP presidential nominee, Nana Akufo-Addo, reiterates commitment to providing free SHS for Ghanaians.
A nice interview with Rita Oppong, winner of the National Best Teacher award.
President Mahama praises GES, GNAT, and GNAGRAT progress in reducing teacher absenteeism.
Mahama denied that Ghana’s education system has seen a decline under his watch, attributing claims that it has to sloppy journalism.
NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, says a vote for the NPP in December will not be in the best interest of the nation’s education system.