Clarity on Language Policy: Ghanaian Languages Mandatory Only for Early Grades, Says Education Ministry
The Ministry of Education has moved to clarify a recent directive on the use of mother tongues in schools, stating that the compulsory policy applies specifically from Kindergarten to Primary Three (KG to P3), and is not intended for all levels of basic education.
The clarification comes from Deputy Education Minister, Clement Appak, following a public debate sparked by a firm directive from the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu.
Minister's Initial Directive
Speaking at the launch of the Free Tertiary Education Programme for Persons Living with Disabilities, Minister Haruna Iddrisu issued a clear mandate to the Ghana Education Service (GES). He directed the GES to "strictly enforce the use of mother tongue instruction in all Ghanaian schools."
Minister Iddrisu framed the directive as a crucial part of the government's efforts to reform the education sector and promote local languages. He emphasized that using a child's mother tongue as the medium of instruction, particularly at the basic level, would significantly enhance comprehension and improve overall learning outcomes.
“I am directing the DG of the GES and the GES that from today, teacher use of mother tongue instruction is now compulsory in all Ghanaian schools,” the Minister declared. “The GES is to ensure strict enforcement of this…This is part of President Mahama’s reset agenda.”
Ministry Provides Specifics
In the days following the Minister's strong statement, the directive generated significant discussion and some confusion among educators and the public regarding its scope and implementation across all classes.
To address this, Deputy Minister Clement Appak has provided essential details, narrowing the focus of the policy.
According to the Deputy Minister, the clarification was necessary to ensure an accurate public understanding and to guide schools in its proper implementation. The policy is not designed to extend the use of local languages as the medium of instruction across all basic school levels, but rather to solidify its application in these critical early years where its educational benefits are most profound.
This move reinforces a long-standing language-in-education policy in Ghana that has faced challenges in nationwide execution. The Ministry's latest push signals a renewed commitment to preserving linguistic heritage while leveraging its power to improve foundational education. The Ghana Education Service is expected to issue further operational guidelines to schools to ensure the structured and effective enforcement of this directive.