BTA2023 The Government of Ghana will update outdated school textbooks and tackle the shortage of teaching materials for local languages, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced during an interview on Joy FM on March 12, 2025.
Outdated Curriculum Concerns
Mr. Iddrisu highlighted that many textbooks currently used in schools do not align with the updated curriculum. For example, geography textbooks still reference 10 regions instead of 16, reflecting outdated information.
“Even the current atlas only recognises 10 regions in Ghana and not 16. We need to get that produced and rectified quickly,” he stressed.
Shortage of Local Language Materials
The Minister also raised concerns about the lack of teaching resources for local languages, such as Ga, Twi, Ewe, Hausa, and Dagbani, despite their compulsory inclusion in the curriculum.
“We do not have enough books or even writers for many of these languages,” he noted.
He urged writers and publishers to produce educational materials in local languages to enhance literacy and preserve Ghana’s linguistic heritage.
Budget Allocation for Education
The 2025 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on March 11, includes key investments in the education sector:
- GH¢564.6 million for new curriculum-based textbooks, including local language materials.
- GH¢145.5 million for the Capitation Grant to support basic education.
- GH¢1.788 billion for the School Feeding Programme to boost student retention and performance.
Mr. Iddrisu called for a deliberate effort to develop and distribute textbooks in local languages to support effective teaching and learning.
