Science Students Exempted from Core Maths and Integrated Science in Common Core Curriculum

Starting from the academic year 2024/2025, all senior high school (SHS) Science students will no longer need to study Core and Elective Mathematics as separate examinable subjects. This decision was revealed by Professor Edward Appiah, the Director-General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA). Instead of Core and Elective Mathematics, Science students will be required to take Additional Mathematics.

Furthermore, Science students will no longer be studying Integrated Science, as they are already engaged in Pure Science. This change in the curriculum aligns with the educational system that was in place post-independence until significant reforms were introduced, replacing the Middle School system with junior high school (JHS) and the secondary school system with the SHS system.

According to Professor Edward Appiah, students pursuing General Arts, Business, Home Economics, and Visual Arts will be the ones studying Integrated Science. However, this subject will change to General Science, and Modern Mathematics will replace Core Mathematics.

These changes in the curriculum are part of the new standard-based and common core curricula adopted for pre-tertiary schools in Ghana. The aim is to transition learners from rote learning to acquiring critical learning skills. The introduction of the standard-based and common core curricula represents a significant shift in the approach to education in the country.

The new curricula also involve changes in assessment methods, moving away from traditional end-of-year examinations to a more continuous assessment approach. This new mode of assessment involves assessing students throughout the learning process, including classroom exercises and project work, rather than solely relying on end-of-year examinations.

Overall, these changes aim to enhance the quality of education in Ghana and better prepare students for the challenges of the modern world.