The Deputy Ranking Member on the Parliament Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak claims that the committee was not consulted regarding the introduction of a new curriculum for Senior High Schools (SHS).

This follows the government's implementation of a new curriculum on Monday, November 4.

Government says the changes are to focus on building character development and holistic education to create well-rounded, ready-for-the-world students.

The new curriculum also takes over from the existing system with students now required to do a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine learning areas in school.

In an interview on Joy FM's Newsnite on Monday, Dr. Apaak stated that the committee had no knowledge of the curriculum, its purpose, or the scope of changes involved.

He challenged the Director General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Professor Yayra Dzakadzie, to provide a specific date and time for any consultation session held with the committee.

“This is the first time I am hearing of a rollout of a completed curriculum intended to replace what is currently in existence as far as Ghana Secondary Education is concerned. Whoever told you that there was an extensive engagement that included an engagement with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education is clearly misleading you and the public.

• Read also: Government begins implementation of new SHS curriculum

“As a Deputy ranking member, there is no time, place, hour or minute where the committee hosted anyone in the Ministry of Education or NaCCA where we were briefed, informed, or taken through what is today being marketed as new curriculum,” he stated.

According to Dr. Apaak, checks with other committee members confirmed that none were aware of the new curriculum’s content, intent, implementation timeline, or potential impact on schools and students.

He expressed concern over the lack of communication and transparency surrounding this major educational shift.

Dr. Apaak has further stated that once Parliament reconvenes, the Education Committee will summon the Education Minister and NaCCA officials to answer questions regarding the new SHS curriculum.

He stressed that this is a serious issue requiring transparency and accountability, adding that such significant changes should not be "toyed with."

But NaCCA’s Director General dismissed the claims.

He asserted that consultations did occur, adding that it is on their input that the new curriculum is reviewed accordingly.

He added that Parliament's Select Committee was engaged in the new curriculum around February 2023.

“I am surprised if the ranking member says they’ve not been engaged. We have engaged all stakeholders including the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education. We engaged every stakeholder extensively including Chiefs and people of Ghana,” he said.