Ghana Ministry of Education to Train 30,000 Kindergarten Teachers in National Play-Based Learning Rollout

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with key development partners, has announced a significant expansion of its play-based learning (PBL) programme across public kindergartens nationwide. Marking the International Day of Play on June 11, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transforming early childhood education by integrating play as a core component of the curriculum. This initiative is designed to move away from traditional rote learning, instead fostering essential developmental skills such as literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and creativity through engaging, child-centered activities that align with international educational standards.

Central to this expansion is an ambitious training programme targeting approximately 30,000 kindergarten teachers. To implement this vision, the Ministry is working closely with Sabre Education, Lively Minds, and Right to Play—organizations with deep expertise in early childhood development. By equipping educators with play-based techniques, the government aims to create more accessible and stimulating learning environments that recognize play as integral to a child’s cognitive and social development. This approach emphasizes that exploration and creativity are not distractions from the curriculum but are foundational to long-term academic success.

Beyond the classroom, the Ministry is calling for a multi-stakeholder approach that involves parents and local communities. Families are being encouraged to engage in early learning activities at home to reinforce the concepts taught in school. Furthermore, the initiative seeks community support to provide low-cost, locally-sourced learning materials, ensuring that play-based education remains sustainable and culturally relevant. This collaborative model aims to build a robust support system around the child, ensuring that the transition from home to school is seamless and supportive of early growth.

This nationwide scale-up reflects Ghana’s broader strategy to secure a strong educational foundation for every child. By prioritizing play in the early years, the Ministry of Education is positioning the country to achieve long-term educational excellence and lifelong success for its youngest citizens. As Ghana joins the global community in celebrating the power of play, the government’s focus remains on institutionalizing these innovative practices to ensure that quality early childhood education becomes a standard rather than an exception in public schools across the country.