Ghana, Diversity and Education in

Education in Ghana

Since 1987, Ghana has operated a 6-3-4-4 educational system that consists of 6 years of primary school, 3 years of junior high school, 4 years of senior high school, and 4 years of university education culminating in a bachelor's degree (though advanced graduate programs are also available). In Ghanaian public schools, all pupils study a core curriculum that includes English (the language of instruction following 3 years of mother tongue instruction in primary school), science, mathematics, and social studies. Each student also takes three or four electives from seven groups (sciences, social sciences, humanities, vocational, technical, business, or agriculture).

Like many former European colonies, Ghana inherited a high-stakes examination system. At the end of junior high school, students take the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 9 or 10 subjects. Admission to senior high school is quite competitive, with about 70,000 of the annual 280,000 BECE test takers gaining admission. At the completion of senior high school, students take the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in seven or eight subjects. Passing marks in this rigorous exam are necessary to be considered for tertiary admission. At present, there are seven public universities in Ghana with a total enrollment of about 100,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and diploma programs. Twenty-one accredited private universities enroll an additional 5,000 students.

In 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that 66% of adults (15 years and older) in Ghana were literate, and 79% of youth (15–24 years) were literate. Although this suggests the positive impact of Ghana's expanding educational system, concerns remain. Expanding student enrollment rates suggest expanding access, though patterns of exclusion continue. UNESCO statistics indicate recent increases in primary and secondary school enrollment, though a far smaller percentage of students attend secondary than elementary school. In 1999, 60% of the school-age cohort, and in 2008, 77% of the school-age cohort were enrolled in primary schools. Enrollment also increased at the secondary level, but it remained significantly below that of primary schools. In 1999, 33% of the secondary school-age cohort, and in 2008, 47% of the secondary school-age cohort attended secondary school. Although enrollment rates have increased at both levels of schooling, two problems persist: (1) A large percentage of children do not attend school, and (2) nearly half of those enrolled in primary school do not continue to secondary school.

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