Ministry of Education Introduces New Core Subjects In SHS

The Ministry of Education, NaCCA and the Ghana Education Service (GES) have introduced new core Subjects in the new SHS curriculum.

The number of core subjects currently include;

• Core Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Integrated Science
• English Language

However, in the next academic year for Senior High Schools, the ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) will bring on board new core subjects.

The new core subjects for SHS will include;

1.  English Language
2. Additional Mathematics
3. Mathematics
4. General Science
5. Social Studies
6. Art & Design Foundation
7. Agricultural Science

Currently, the number of subjects in the SHS curriculum are currently 63. However, after the implementation of the new curriculum, the number of subjects would be reduced to 37. Some subjects have been blended together while others have been removed. 13 new subjects have been introduced.

Here are the 13 New Subjects in the new SHS curriculum.

1. Agriculture
2. Physical Education and Health
3. Home Economics
4. Applied Technology
5. Business
6. Arts and Design Studio
7. Spanish
8. Engineering Science+ Robotics
9. Biomedical Science
10. Aviation + Aerospace Engineering
11. Robotics
12. Manufacturing Engineering
13. Religious and Moral Education (RME)

Below are the full list of all subjects on the new SHS curriculum

New SHS Curriculum Subjects – Elective Subjects

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Physics
4. Computing
5. Agriculture
6. Physical Education & Health
7. Home Economics
8. History
9. Economics
10. Geography
11. Government
12. Art and Design Studio
13. Performing Arts

14. Applied Technology
15. Business
16. Religious Studies
17. Literature-in-English
18. ICT
19. Ghanaian Languages*
20. French*
21. Arabic*
22. Spanish*

*These languages or subjects will be offered based on the availability of teachers.

23. Engineering Science & Robotics
24. Biomedical Science
25. Aviation & Aerospace Engineering
26. Robotics
27. Manufacturing Engineering

Activities on the Timetable

•  Physical Education & Health (PEH)
• Religious and Moral Education (RME)

This change aims to streamline the educational experience, making it more focused and less overwhelming for students.

The reduction in subjects will involve several strategies. Some subjects will be combined into single, more comprehensive courses. For example, separate subjects that cover related topics might be merged into one, providing a more integrated learning experience. This approach is designed to help students see the connections between different areas of study and to deepen their understanding of broader themes.

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Also some subjects will be completely removed from the curriculum. This decision is based on an evaluation of the relevance and importance of each subject in today’s educational landscape. Subjects deemed less critical for students’ future academic and career success may be discontinued, allowing more time and resources to be devoted to essential subjects.

In some cases, subjects will be blended with others. This means that elements of one subject may be incorporated into another, creating interdisciplinary courses that cover multiple areas of knowledge. This method aims to provide students with a more holistic education, reflecting the interconnected nature of different fields in the real world.

The goal of these changes is to improve the overall quality of education in Ghana’s SHS system. By focusing on fewer subjects, students can delve deeper into each topic, gaining a more thorough understanding. Teachers can also benefit from this streamlined curriculum, as it allows them to concentrate their efforts on fewer subjects, potentially leading to more effective teaching and better student outcomes.

The transition to the new curriculum is expected to be smooth, with preparations already underway to ensure that schools, teachers, and students are ready for the changes. Training programs for teachers, updated teaching materials, and revised assessment methods are being developed to support the new curriculum.

The introduction of the new SHS curriculum in Ghana represents a significant step towards modernizing and improving the education system. By reducing the number of subjects and integrating related topics, the curriculum aims to provide a more focused and effective educational experience for students.