The Ministry of Education has rejected public misconceptions regarding the government’s language of instruction policy for basic schools under the proposed revised curriculum, clarifying that foreign languages have not been made compulsory.
In an official press statement issued on Sunday, 2nd August 2026, the Ministry outlined a structured approach to language learning aimed at enhancing foundational literacy and overall cognitive development among young learners across the country.
According to the Ministry, local Ghanaian languages will serve as the primary medium of instruction from Kindergarten through to Primary Three. The policy is designed to strengthen pupils’ early literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills by allowing them to receive instruction in a language they understand best during their formative years.
As pupils progress from Primary Four to Primary Six, the curriculum transitions into a bilingual model where both Ghanaian languages and English will be used jointly for instruction.
“This bilingual approach is designed to support a smooth transition to higher levels of education, where English assumes a greater role, while preserving learners’ competence in Ghanaian languages,” the statement explained.
Addressing widespread rumours that foreign languages such as French, Arabic, and Chinese were being forced onto pupils, the Ministry explained that such subjects remain strictly optional.
The statement, signed by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, noted that foreign languages “will be offered as optional languages for pupils who wish to acquire additional language skills, subject to the availability of qualified teachers and learning resources in their respective schools.”
The Ministry urged parents, teachers, school authorities, media organisations, and the general public to disregard misinformation suggesting that foreign languages had been made mandatory in the revised curriculum.
Highlighting the rationale behind the policy, the Ministry noted that the strategy aligns with internationally accepted educational practices, which recognise that children learn best when they start their education in a familiar language before gradually transitioning to additional languages.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to implementing evidence-based education policies that will improve learning outcomes and equip every Ghanaian child with the necessary competencies to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
