NaCCA, GES and the Ministry of Education has reduced the number of subjects offered at the SHS level from 63 to 36 under the new SHS curriculum. Let’s take a look at the list of subjects.
New SHS Curriculum Subjects
Core Subjects in the 36 New SHS Subjects
- English Language
- Additional Mathematics
- Mathematics
- General Science
- Social Studies
- Art & Design Foundation
- Agricultural Science
Do you know the subjects they will study in SHS1 or in year 1?
Most of core subjects above will be studies starting from SHS1 Basic 10. This means in year one 2024 BECE graduates will study the remaining part of core subjects they were introduced to in Basic 7-9. These subjects include English Language, Mathematics, General Science and Social Studies.
Elective Subjects in the 36 New SHS Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computing
- Agriculture
- Physical Education & Health
- Home Economics
- History
- Economics
- Geography
- Government
- Art and Design Studio
- Performing Arts
- Applied Technology
- Business
- Religious Studies
- Literature-in-English
- ICT
- Ghanaian Languages*
- French*
- Arabic*
- Spanish*
*These languages or subjects will be offered based on the availability of teachers.
- Engineering Science & Robotics
- Biomedical Science
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering
- Robotics
- Manufacturing Engineering
Activities on the Timetable
- Physical Education & Health (PEH)
- Religious and Moral Education (RME)
This change aims to streamline the educational experience, making it more focused and less overwhelming for students.
The reduction in subjects will involve several strategies. Some subjects will be combined into single, more comprehensive courses. For example, separate subjects that cover related topics might be merged into one, providing a more integrated learning experience. This approach is designed to help students see the connections between different areas of study and to deepen their understanding of broader themes.
Also some subjects will be completely removed from the curriculum. This decision is based on an evaluation of the relevance and importance of each subject in today’s educational landscape. Subjects deemed less critical for students’ future academic and career success may be discontinued, allowing more time and resources to be devoted to essential subjects.
In some cases, subjects will be blended with others. This means that elements of one subject may be incorporated into another, creating interdisciplinary courses that cover multiple areas of knowledge. This method aims to provide students with a more holistic education, reflecting the interconnected nature of different fields in the real world.
The goal of these changes is to improve the overall quality of education in Ghana’s SHS system. By focusing on fewer subjects, students can delve deeper into each topic, gaining a more thorough understanding. Teachers can also benefit from this streamlined curriculum, as it allows them to concentrate their efforts on fewer subjects, potentially leading to more effective teaching and better student outcomes.
The transition to the new curriculum is expected to be smooth, with preparations already underway to ensure that schools, teachers, and students are ready for the changes. Training programs for teachers, updated teaching materials, and revised assessment methods are being developed to support the new curriculum.
The introduction of the new SHS curriculum in Ghana represents a significant step towards modernizing and improving the education system. By reducing the number of subjects and integrating related topics, the curriculum aims to provide a more focused and effective educational experience for students.
It is important to note that elective subjects will be placed under their respective programmes of study. At the time of this publication, it was not clear if the programmes at the SHS such as General Science, Agricultural Science, General Arts etc will be altered and a new name given to them.
Previous subjects taught at the SHS level
English Language
Integrated Science
Mathematics (Core)
Social Studies
General Agriculture
Animal Husbandry
Crop Husbandry and Horticulture
Fisheries
Forestry
Biology
Physics
Mathematics (Elective)
Geography
French
Music
ICT (Elective)
Business Management
Financial Accounting
Principles of Cost Accounting
Economics
Typewriting (40wpm)
Clerical Office Duties
Literature in English
Technical Drawing
Applied Electricity
Auto Mechanics
Building Construction
Electronics
Metalwork
Woodwork
Chemistry
Management-In-Living
Clothing and Textiles
Foods and Nutrition
General Knowledge-In-Art
Textiles
Graphic Design
Picture Making
Basketry
Ceramics
Jewellery
Leatherwork
Sculpture
Christian Religious Studies
Arabic
Government
History
Islamic Religious Studies
West Africa Traditional Religion
Dagaare
Dagbani
Dangme
Ewe
Ga
Gonja
Kasem
Nzema
Twi (Akuapem)
Twi (Asante)
Now that you know the 36 New SHS Subjects To Be Studied By 2024 BECE Graduates, it is time to be thinking of what programme and courses or subjects you will be interested in.
Source: Ghana Education News
