Accra, Ghana – In a timely call to action, education Think Tank, Africa Education Watch, has urged the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to make basic practical agriculture a compulsory course in the upcoming secondary education curriculum revision.
In a statement reported by Citi News and signed by Executive Director Kofi Asare, Africa Education Watch, I expressed appreciation for including Agriculture (an Arts subject) and Agricultural Science (a Science subject) in the new draft curriculum. However, the organization highlighted concerns that these subjects, currently optional, may not adequately address the food security challenges facing Ghana and Africa.
Mr. Asare emphasized that low technology, investment, and interest remain significant barriers to achieving food security in the region. Therefore, integrating Basic Practical Agriculture as a compulsory foundation course alongside existing subjects is essential. This addition aims to equip all students with foundational agricultural knowledge and practical farming skills from an early stage.
“Eduwatch recommends that Basic Practical Agriculture, including farming, be introduced as a compulsory foundation course in the new secondary education curriculum, alongside Physical Education & Health, which is currently the only foundation course in the draft of the new curriculum,” the statement read.
The call for compulsory agricultural education stems from Eduwatch’s participation in a stakeholder engagement organized by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. This engagement, which included representatives from the Ministry of Education, educational institutions, and agricultural organizations, focused on refining the draft secondary education curriculum slated for introduction in the next academic year. Eduwatch’s role was to advocate for the inclusion of practical agriculture as a compulsory course, based on its research and expertise in the field.
The proposed curriculum revision is not just about expanding students’ knowledge of agriculture, but about nurturing a generation capable of combating climate change through sustainable agricultural practices. By integrating practical agriculture education, Eduwatch aims to instil a culture that values food security and agricultural sustainability in Ghana.
As the Ministry of Education deliberates on the petition, it becomes increasingly clear that the inclusion of agricultural education in the secondary school curriculum is not just a matter for policymakers, but a collective responsibility to ensure future food resources and enhance agricultural productivity nationwide.