MoE dismisses claims of English language cancellation in schools

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has dismissed claims that it has cancelled the study of English in basic schools, describing such reports as misleading.

According to the Ministry, the teaching of English remains an integral part of Ghana’s education system and will continue to be taught alongside local languages.

“The Ministry will not and has not cancelled the study of English and other international languages,” the statement clarified in a statement on Wednesday.

It explained that the ongoing review of the language policy seeks to strengthen literacy by using home languages for early instruction while maintaining English as a core language of study.

“The policy on the use of children’s home languages with additional languages, including English, is not new,” the Ministry stated. “It has existed since independence but its implementation has not been effective and was stalled.”

The Ministry noted that research worldwide supports the use of a child’s first language in early education to improve understanding and learning outcomes.

“There is very strong global evidence that teaching children in a language they understand, alongside English, strengthens their performance across all subjects in school,” the release said. “Teaching in a language the child does not understand or speak well creates major barriers to literacy acquisition.”
Officials indicated that the revised approach will cover Kindergarten to Basic Three, ensuring pupils gain a strong foundation in both their home language and English. The Ministry also cited successful models in countries like China, Finland, Japan and Malaysia where home language instruction complements foreign language learning.

“The policy, when enacted through consultation, is to ensure that by the time Ghanaian children complete Basic Year Three, they are well grounded in their home language as a foundation for learning other languages,” the Ministry said.

It added that the move will help nurture confident learners, deepen national identity and foster cultural appreciation.

“The Ministry is keen to ensure that no learner is left behind in receiving the quality education they deserve. It is their right,” the statement emphasized.

Following an announcement by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu to the effect that teachers had been directed to facilitate lessons in the local dialect, the ministry explained that the policy was restricted to Kindergarten to Basic 3.

The ministry’s latest clarification aims to put to bed doubts about any major changes in existing policy regarding the teaching of English Language in Ghanaian schools.